A Study of relation between stature and ulnar length

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

A Study of relation between stature and ulnar length

Anupam K. Bansal1, Prithvirajsinh C. Vaghela2, Kamlesh S. Lad3, Prerna Mittal4,
Krutarth I. Kapadiya5
1

Assistant Professor, 2Associate Professor, 3,4Tutor, Forensic, Forensic Medicine Department, 5Tutor, Department of
Biochemistry, Gujarat Medical Education and Research Society Medical College and Hospital, Valsad
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Identification is fixation of individuality of a person. Stature of a person is one of the vital parts
of identification. The aim of this study was to develop a relationship between stature and ulnar length. After the age
of 18-21 years, most of the people attain their maximum growth, dimensions of the skeleton remain unchanged and
the ratio in size of different parts to one another is also considerably variable in different individuals. In case of
fragmented/mutilated body, stature can be estimated on the basis of ratio of the different body parts. In this paper,
attempts are made for the estimation of the stature of native of Gujarat state at GMERS medical college hospital,
Valsad using Percutaneous ulnar length in year 2012-2013. Ulnar length was taken from olecrenon process to
ulnar head with the elbow flexed, hand semi pronated and in natural position.
Keywords: Stature, Vital parts, Ulnar length, Mutilated body, Olecrenon process, Flexion, Pronation.

*Correspondence Author
Dr. P Prithvirajsinh C. Vaghela,
Associate Professor,
Forensic Medicine, Department,
GMERS Medical College and Hospital,
Nanakwada, Halar road,
Valsad -396001,
E-mail: drprit.lion007@gmail.com

No universally applicable formula for

stature estimation from the length of long
bones is present. As the relationship
between them is influenced by the race,
sex and age of an individual. The ulna has
easily identifiable surface landmarks
which make the measurements possible in
compromised postures.
Material and Method
This study was done over the
asymptomatic healthy medical students, on
total 300 (Male 150+ Female 150) students
of GMERS Medical College, Valsad, and
Gujarat. Belonging to different socioeconomic status. Who were 17 to 20 years
of age. The subjects who had any
deformity/ailment in either of the upper
limbs and those who did not give their
consent for participation in the study were
not included in study. Informed consents
were taken from each individual before
including them as subjects in the study.
The whole length of the subcutaneous
border of the ulna is palpable down to the
styloid process (7).
The vertex to the heel height (in
centimetre) was measured for each subject
with them in the standing erect posture and
also bare foot and they were asked to look
forward straight to the horizon, so that the
Frankfurts plane remained horizontal. A
ruler was placed on their heads
tangentially, so that it could touch the
highest point of his/her head. Then, with
the help of a pencil, that level was marked

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INTRODUCTION
Growth the vital process is measured by
measuring the height of the person, which
itself is a sum of length of certain bones
and appendages of the body represent
certain relationship with form of
proportion to the total stature(1).
Assessment of height from different parts
of the body by anthropometric study of
skeleton is an area of interest to anatomist,
anthropologist and forensic experts (2).
Various long bones have been employed
for stature estimation using variety of
methodologies (3,4,5,6).
Establishment
of
alternative
methodologies for personal height
estimation is important for a number of
reasons. Firstly, in instances where height
estimates needed to be made from
fragments of bones in archeological
procedures or in forensic examinations
after mass disasters or genocide. Secondly,
estimates of pharmacokinetic parameters
and evaluation of nutritional status rely on
accurate measurement of not only body
weight but also height.

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A Study of relation between stature and ulnar length

on the wall. With the measuring tape, the
Statistical analysis indicated that bilateral
height of that point was measured from the
variation was insignificant for the
floor level. Recorded by the same person
measurements of ulna length in both sexes.
to minimize the errors in methodology.
Table: 1 Male Students
Parameters Mean
SD
Range (in cm)
The ulnar length was measured from the
Height
169.82
4.78
162-175
tip of the olecranon process to the tip of
Ulnar
27.81
2.02
25.5-30.5
the styloid process, with the elbow flexed
length (R)
and the palm spread over the opposite
Ulnar
27.79
2.03 25.5-30.5
shoulder with the help of the digital sliding
length (L)
caliper capable of measuring to the nearest
Table: 2 Female Students
0.01 mm, on the right and the left sides
Parameters Mean
SD
Range (in cm)
Height
164.78 4.18
156-169
consecutively. The measurements were
Ulnar
24.80
1.92
22.5-26.5
always taken at a fixed time, between 3 5
length
(R)
pm, to eliminate discrepancies of diurnal
Ulnar
24.70
1.80
22.5-26.5
variation.
length (L)
After collection of data, they were
Table:
3
Pearsons
correlation
subjected to statistical analysis for
coefficient
calculation of mean, standard deviation,
Subject Correlation
Coefficient of P value
standard error, correlation coefficient,
Coefficient(r) determination
(%)
regression coefficient, value of constant
Male
0.61
41
p
<
and t test for correlation coefficient
0.01
applied to test the statistical significance
Female 0.64
45
using epiopen. The obtained values were
Table: 4 Linear Regression Equation
used for the statistical analysis which was
Subject Correlation
Regression P value
done by using the SPSS, version 12.0
Coefficient(r) Equation
software for the required analysis. The
Male
0.61
Y= 92.51+ p
1.63 X
< 0.01
prediction of a significant relationship
Female 0.64
Y= 99.45+
amongst the pair of variables was
3.16 X
determined
by
the
Correlation
Gender
differences
in
mean height and
coefficient i.e., Pearsons r.
ulna length were found to be highly
The relationship between the changes of a
significant (P<0.0001). Mean ulna lengths
dependent variable (say, y) and an
of the male were significantly larger than
independent variable (say, x) was
that of the females for all ages (P<0.0001)
ascertained by simple linear regression,
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
with the Regression coefficient (b);
Anthropometric characteristics have direct
where the model of the regression equation
relationship with sex, shape and form of an
was y = a + bx [where a = y intercept,
individual and these factors are intimately
when x = 0]. As in every equation; a 95%
linked with each other and manifestation
confidence interval (which was equivalent
of internal structure and tissue components
to 1.96 standard deviation) was accepted
which in turn are influenced by
and the standard error of regression (STE)
environmental and genetic factors (8).A
was calculated. The final equation model
number of common disabilities and disease
was y = (a + bx) (1.96 x STE).
processes make it difficult to accurately
Observation and Results
measure standing height in many patients
The observation were analysed separately
(9).
for both right and left ulna in each sex on
Results obtained from a study that
all subjects and results are tabulated. The
attempted to reconstruct stature from ulna
mean ages of the study subjects (male
length in Hindu population in Gujarat state
17.212 2.25 and female 17.302 2.21)
demonstrated a regression coefficient
were not significantly different between
between height and ulna length to be
genders. Gender differences in mean
+3.506 for males (5). The ulna length was
height and length of ulna were found to be
proven to be superior to arm span
highly significant (P< 0.05). Mean ulna
measurement (10) and hand length (11) in
lengths of the male were significantly
predicting height. Ilayperuma et al derived
larger than that of the females of all ages.
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A Study of relation between stature and ulnar length

regression equations for stature estimation
bones. A study of one hundred
from length of ulna in both males and
Maharashtrian male adults of ages
females in Srilankan population (11).
between twenty five and thirty years.
From the present study, it has been
Am. J. Phys. Anthropol., 2:105-12,
concluded that
1963.
1. Mean height and length of ulna is more
5. Joshi, N. B.; Patel, M. P. & Dongre, A.
in males than in females.
V. Regression equation of height from
2. Gender differences in mean height and
ulna length. Ind. J. Med. Res.,52:1088length of ulna were found to be highly
91, 1964.
significant (P <0.05)
6. Shroff, A. G. & Vare, A. M.
3. There is positive correlation between
Determination of height from length of
stature and length of ulna.
superior extremity and its segments.J.
4. Simple linear regression equation so far
Anat. Soc. India., 28:53-7, 1979.
derived can be used for estimation of
7. Sinnathamby, C. S. Lasts Anatomy
height in Gujarat.
Regional and Applied. 10th Ed.
5. If either of the measurement (length of
Edinburgh,
Churchill
ulna or total height ) is known, the other
Livingstone,1999.
can be calculated.
8. Krishan K. Anthropometry in forensic
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medicine and forensic scienceMedico legal investigations and in
Forensic
Anthropometry.
The
anthropometry. Study would be useful for
internet
journal
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forensic
Anthropologist and Forensic Medicine
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experts.
9. Auyeung, T. W.; Lee, J. S. W.; Kwok,
T.; Leung, J. Leung, P.C. & Woo, J.
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