A Comparative Study of Mandibular Ramus Dimensions between Males and Females in Cadavers from Maharashtra

Background: The mandible, being a robust bone, remains intact postmortem and can be utilized for gender determination. Morphometric analysis of the mandibular ramus holds significance for anthropologists, anatomists, and prosthetists. This study aims to assess the height and breadth of the mandibular ramus and their association with gender. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 56 cadaveric mandibles (18 female and 38 male). The height and breadth of the mandibular ramus were measured.Results: The mean ± SD for ramus height and breadth on the right side for females was 41.18 ± 4.70 mm and 28.89 ± 2.28 mm, respectively, while on the left side, it was 43.03 ± 3.57 mm and 30.70 ± 7.62 mm, respectively. For males, the mean ± SD for ramus height and breadth on the right side was 47.34 ± 2.88 mm and 33.14 ± 3.26 mm, respectively, while on the left side, it was 47.39 ± 3.88 mm and 32.39 ± 3.85 mm, respectively. Conclusion: The mean ± SD for ramus height and breadth was greater in males than in females. Although this study was conducted on cadaveric mandibles, the mandibular ramus can be utilized for gender determination in medico-legal and forensic cases.Keywords: gender, mandible, morphometry, mandibular ramus