A pilot study of the mandibular angle in black Zimbabweans.

OBJECTIVES

To study the mandibular angle in Black Zimbabweans so as to assess its role in the anthropological diagnosis of human remains and in laryngoscopy.

DESIGN

The angles, lengths and heights of adult mandibles derived from Black Zimbabwean cadavers were measured using a mandibulometer. The values obtained for these parameters were analysed statistically.

SETTING

Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.

SUBJECTS

32 adult Black Zimbabweans (23 males and nine females) who had lived in Harare, Zimbabwe.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Sexual differences in the mandibular angle, height, length among Black Zimbabweans.

RESULTS

The mean mandibular angle and height were greater in females (128 degrees and 6.13 cm) than in males (123.06 degrees and 5.98 cm) while the mean mandibular length was greater in males (7.78 cm) than in females (7.23 cm). There was a statistically significant sex difference in the mandibular angle and length. The average mandibular angle of the Black Zimbabweans was greater than the values reported for some Black African populations but the range of variation was small.

CONCLUSIONS

It appears that the Black Zimbabwean mandible cannot be used for sexual or racial diagnosis of individuals as is usual in anthropological work. However, the male Black Zimbabwean mandible appears to possess important unfavourable anatomic factors that may predispose the male Black Zimbabwean to difficult laryngoscopy and/or intubation.