Original Article National Journal of Medical and Dental Research, October-December 2013: Volume-2, Issue-1, Page 39-42
Study of Cephalic Index of North Indian Students in
Teerthanker Mahaveer University
Manuscript reference number:
njmdr_433_13
Date of submission: 12 August 2013
Date of Editorial approval: 19 August 2013
Date of Peer review approval: 30 August 2013
Date of Publication: 31 December 2013
Conflict of Interest: Nil; Source of support: Nil
Name and addresses of corresponding author:
Dr. Sumita Agarwal
G – 004, Faculty Block, TMU Campus,
Delhi Road, Moradabad, (U.P.), 244001
Mobile No. – 08393024688
E. mail – docsumita29@gmail.com
01 Original Article Study of Cephalic Index of North Indian Students in Teerthanker.indd 39
Sumita AgarwalA, Mohammad Ashraf KhanA, Raghuveer Singh MandloiB
A
Post Graduate Student, Department of Anatomy, Teerthanker Mahaveer University,
Moradabad, (U.P.)
B
Demonstrator, Department of Anatomy, Teerthanker Mahaveer University,
Moradabad, (U.P.)
Abstract:
Background: Cephalometry is the scientific measurement and morphological study
of all the structures present in the human head. It acts as an important tool for
forensic experts and Anthropologists to determine the sexual, racial variations and
in medicolegal cases.
Aims: To study of cephalic index of North Indian students in Teerthanker Mahaveer
University (TMU).
Settings and Design: Cephalic Index of 800 North Indian students in TMU with 400
males and 400 females with age ranging 17-25 years using spreading calipers.
Methods and Material: Study was conducted on 800 North Indian students in TMU
with 400 males and 400 females with age ranging 17-25 years using spreading
calipers. Measurements for maximum head length were taken from Glabella to Inion,
while maximum head breadth taken between two Porions, sitting relax with head in
anatomical position, using Hrdlicka’s method (1952).
Statistical analysis: Statistical analysis was done with “Z” test, with 5% level of
significance was applied (P value = ± 1.96).
Results: The majority of subjects fell in Brachycephalic group, the head breadth of
male and female were higher than their head length. The mean cephalic index of
male and female suggested the Brachycephalisation of the population.
Conclusion: Brachycephalic dominancy in the population and continuous growth of
brain more in lateral direction. This is useful for forensic experts, plastic surgeons,
anatomists, anthropologists, oral surgeons and for clinical and research purposes.
Key Words: Cephalic Index, Brachycephalic, Head Length, Head breadth, Anthropology.
Natl J Med Dent Res 2013; 2(1) : 39-42
Introduction: Cephalic index was first identified by
Swedish professor of Anatomy Anders
Cephalometry is the scientific Rezitus (1796-1860) [3]. It acts as
measurement and morphological study important tool for forensic experts and
of all the structures present in the human Anthropologists to determine the sexual
head [1, 2]. It is one of the branches of and racial variations and changes in
Anthropology, is based on principal of comparison between parents, offsprings
evolution. and siblings towards their genetic
transmission of inherited characteristics
39
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 National Journal of Medical and Dental Research, October-December 2013: Volume-2, Issue-1, Page 39-42

[4] and also in forensic practice where cranial remains were
compared with existing photographic and radiographic
records in identification of disputed identity [5].
Population of the world mainly fall in three types of head
Dolicocephalic (< 75%), Mesaticephalic (75-80%) and
Brachycephalic (> 80%) [6]. It is also helpful to determine
abnormal shape and size of head (viz. Acrocephaly).
posterior root of the Zygomatic arch on the middle of the
upper border of External acaustic meatus) fig. no. 2, sitting
relax with head in anatomical position, using Hrdlicka’s
method (1952) [7].
Statistical analysis: It was done with “Z” test, with 5%
level of significance was applied (P value = ± 1.96). The
data was calculated with Cephalic Index Formula as:

India being a very vast country with diverse population C.I. = Maximum head breadth / maximum head length ×
least studies has been done in North India. 100
Ethics: Student’s consent was taken for the study.

Materials and Methods:

The study has been conducted on 800 north Indian students
with 400 males and 400 females with age ranging 17-25
years using spreading calipers.
Measurements for maximum head length were taken
from Glabella (a pont above the root of the nose between
the two superciliary arches) to Inion (a salient point of
external occipital protuberance) fig. no. 1, while maximum
head breadth taken between two Porions (a point on the
Results:
After analyzing the data results showed the majority of
subjects fell in brachycephalic group (table – 1 & fig. No.
1), the head breadth of male and female were higher than
their head length (table – 2 and 3). The mean cephalic
index of male and female (table no. – 4) suggested the
Brachycephalisation of the population, which is also
considered to be an important parameter for more towards
civilization.

Table No. 1 : Classification of subjects based on cephalic index

Sex No. Dolicocephalic Mesocephalic Brachycephalic
Male 400 68 141 191
Female 400 10 94 296

Total 800 78 235 487

Fig - 1 : Bar diagram showing classification of subjects based on cephalic index

350
Male Female
300

250
No. of Subjects

200

150

100

50

0
DolicocephalicM esocephalic Brachycephalic

40

01 Original Article Study of Cephalic Index of North Indian Students in Teerthanker.indd 40 1/18/2014 4:41:30 PM
 National Journal of Medical and Dental Research, October-December 2013: Volume-2, Issue-1, Page 39-42

Table No. 2 : Head breadth in male and female

Head Breadth
Male Female Total
(in c.m.)
13.00 – 13.99 55 72 127
14.00 – 14.99 207 276 483
15.00 – 15.99 127 49 176
16.00 – 16.99 11 3 14
Total 400 400 800

Table No. 3 : Head length in males and females

Head Length
Male Female Total
(in cm.)
14.00 – 14.99 0 1 1
15.00 – 15.99 1 3 4
16.00 – 16.99 8 49 57
17.00 – 17.99 76 220 296
18.00 – 18.99 190 120 310
19.00 – 19.99 107 7 114
20.00 – 20.99 18 0 18
Total 400 400 800

Table No. 4 : Statistics of various parameters of present study

Variable No. Min. Max. Mean S.D. Z value P value

Cephalic index (male) 400 68.50 88.34 79.15 4.06

9.4940 0
Cephalic index (female) 400 72.43 90.62 81.66 3.39

Cephalic index (male & female) 400 68.50 90.62 80.41 3.5

Table No. 5 : Comparison of present study with the other studies for cephalic index of female students
Studies Range Mean
Shah G.V. (Gujarat, India, 2004 ) 72.01 – 89.0 81.20
Mahajan Anupama (Punjab, 71.01 – 92.0 85.75
India, 2010)
Ilayperuma Isurani (Srilanka, – 79.32
2011)
Odokuma E.I. (West Africa, – 77.95
2010)
Eroje M.A. (Bayesla, Nigeria, – 72.96
2010)
Adejuwon S.A. (Southwestern – 72.54
Nigeria, 2011)
Present Study (North India, 2013) 72.43 – 90.62 81.6

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01 Original Article Study of Cephalic Index of North Indian Students in Teerthanker.indd 41 1/18/2014 4:41:30 PM
 National Journal of Medical and Dental Research, October-December 2013: Volume-2, Issue-1, Page 39-42

Discussion: 6. Singh Vishram, Anatomy of head neck and brain, 2011,

The present study provides valuable data pertaining to
the cephalic index and shapes of the heads in an adult
north Indian population. Cephalic index is an important
parameter for deciding the race and sex of an individual
whose identity is unknown.
This study gets strengthened by results coinciding with
previous works of Shah G.V. in Gujarat [4] & by Mahajan
Anupama [8] in Punjab (table no.–5), which shows
brachycephalic dominancy in the population and continuous
growth of brain more in lateral direction. The result didn’t
coincide with the work of Ilayperuma Isurani [9] in Srilanka
& Odukuma E.I [10]. in West Africa (table no.– 5), where the
population was of Mesaticephalic dominancy and with the
work of Eroje M.A [11]. & Adejuwon S.A. [12] in Nigeria
(table no. – 5) which show Dolicocephalic dominancy in
population. These evidences show a clear racial variation in
cephalic Index. This data can be useful for forensic experts,
plastic surgeons, anatomists, anthropologist, oral surgeons
and for clinical and research purposes.
1st Edn., Mosby, Saunders, Churchill Livingstone,
Butterworth Heinemann & Hanley & Belfus are the
health science imprints of Elsevier; pp.: 25.
7. Hrdlicka Ales, Anthropomery, published by - The
Wistab Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Philadelphia.
1920, pp.: 55 - 57.
8. Mahajan A, Khurana BS, Batra APS. The study of
cephalic index in Punjab students. Journal of Punjab
Academy of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology. 2009;
9(2): 15-17.
9. Ilayperuma Isurani, Evaluation of Cephalic Indices:
A Clue for Racial and Sex Diversity, Int. J. Morphol.,
29(1):112-117, 2011.
10. Odokuma, E. I., Akpuaka, F. C.2, Igbigbi, P. S.,
Otuaga, P. O. and Ejebe, D., Patterns of cephalic
indexes in three West African populations, African
Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(11), pp. 1658-1662,
15 March, 2010.

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