Sex estimation using humeral and femoral head diameters in contemporary and prehispanic mexican populations

In bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology the most reliable skeletal element for sex estimation is the pelvis; nevertheless, when it is missing, other postcranial elements must be used. The main goal of this research is to provide sectioning points for sex assessment from humeral and femoral head...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Adriana Zamora, Antinea Menéndez Garmendia, Fernando Ruiz-Velasco, Gabriela Sánchez-Mejorada, Lourdes Márquez-Morfín, Jorge A. Gómez-Valdés
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2022
Country:México
Institution:Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Repository:Redalyc-UNAM
OAI Identifier:oai:redalyc.org:382269990003
Online Access:https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=382269990003
https://www.redalyc.org/journal/3822/382269990003/
https://www.redalyc.org/journal/3822/382269990003/html/
https://www.redalyc.org/journal/3822/382269990003/382269990003.epub
https://www.redalyc.org/journal/3822/382269990003/movil
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Antropología
Mesoamérica
Bioarchaeology
osteoarchaeology
skeletal remains
forensic anthropology
Description
Summary:In bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology the most reliable skeletal element for sex estimation is the pelvis; nevertheless, when it is missing, other postcranial elements must be used. The main goal of this research is to provide sectioning points for sex assessment from humeral and femoral head diameters for three prehispanic and two contemporary Mexican populations. Using a sliding caliper, a total of 386 (45.3% female and 54.6% male) humeral and femoral head diameters were recorded. The sectioning point was calculated as the mean between sexes, and univariate independent sample t-tests were performed to test significant differences between sexes. The results demonstrate significant sexual differences in all populations and high percentages of correct sex classification (90%-94%). We conclude that the proposed cut-off points can be used as an alternative for sex estimation in Mexican populations, in contexts with incomplete skeletons and/or fragmented bones.