An Anthropometric Study of the Humerus in Adults

The long bones are most commonly used for identification of unknown bodies and parts of bodies. Seventy two adult dried humeri (36 right and 36 left) were obtained from the Anatomy Department of University College of Medical College and GTB Hospital. Somatometry was done by means of an osteometric board, a vernier caliper and a tapeline. The maximum height was found to be 306.41± 25.8mm on the right bone and 304.43 ± 23.4mm on the left bone. In the upper third the mean circumference of the shaft was 60.6 ± 6.6mm and 58.85 ± 6.0mm whereas the mean transverse diameter was 18.6 ± 2.1mm and 18.2 ± 2 mm on right and left sides respectively. The mean sagittal diameter of upper third of the shaft was measured to be 19.63 ± 2.1mm and 19.52 ±2.3mm on right and left sides respectively. In the middle third of the shaft the mean circumference was measured to be 56.79 ± 4.8mm and 55.51 ± 4.4mm on the right and left humerus. The mean transverse diameter was 17.37 ± 2.4mm and 16.55 ± 2.2mm whereas the mean sagittal diameter was 18.67 ± 2.7 mm and 18.32 ± 2.6mm in right and left sided bones respectively. In the lower third the mean circumference of the shaft was measured to be 55.57 ± 5.3mm and 54.47 ± 4.8mm and the mean transverse diameter was 18.31± 1.8mm and 18.21 ± 2.0mm on the right and left humerus respectively. However, the mean sagittal diameter was 16.84 ± 1.5mm and 16.7 ± 1.5mm for the lower third of the shaft in right and left humerus respectively. Obtained data was statistically analyzed.