ISSN 2326-7283
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 3 (10), pp. 242-245, November, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A study of the level of sexual dimorphism in ear length, width and index for both left and right sides
*Abdullahi M. Jibrin, Rabi'u A. Gaya and Kabiru Musa Ibrahim
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Kano University of Science and Technology, Kano, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 14 October, 2015
Abstract
External ear composed of three primary components: helix-antihelical complex, conchal complex, and lobe. The aim of the study was to determine the level of sexual dimorphism in ear length, width and index for both left and right sides. The correlation between the ear variables was also determined. The population consisted of 137 males and 82 females recruited among the students of Bayero University Kano, Nigeria. Direct method was employed in measurement of ear length and width. Independent sample t test and Pearson’s correlation were used to analyse the data using SPSS version 16. The result shows that mean value of ear dimensions is higher on the right side. Significant differences were also observed on ear length and width of the right side (P < 0.05), and the width and index show significant difference (P < 0.05) in the left side. In the entire variables, male tend to have higher mean value. A negative correlation between the ear length and index was observed. In conclusion, the study has established the existence of sexual dimorphism on ear linear dimensions among Hausas of Nigerian population. Therefore, the use of ear dimensions on anthropometry for characterization of the differences in sex was highlighted.
Key words: External ear, Hausas, morphometry, Nigeria, sexual dimorphism.