Morphometric Study of Nasal Bone and Piriform Aperture in Human Dry Skull of Indian Origin.

Introduction: Nasal bone and piriform aperture shows racial and geographical differences because of variable climate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dimensions (maximal width and length), the size and the shape of the piriform aperture (PA) and their sexual dimorphism in North Indian adult. Materials and Methods: In this observational study, dimension of piriform aperture and nasal bone were measured using digital vernier caliper after assessing landmarks around the piriform aperture on the norma frontalis in Frankfurt plane in 40 skull of Indian orgin. Results: The mean width of the piriform aperture was 24.9 +/- 1.59 mm in males and 22.77 +/- 1.57 mm in females, the mean length was 29.57 +/- 3.28 mm in females and 31.16 +/- 3.58 mm in males. The difference between males and females was significant, and our data correlates well with the previously data acquired from humans skulls. Most of North Indian skulls have platyrhine type of piriform aperture (triangular to oval shape with pyriform aperture index of 0.79). Mean length and width of nasal bone were 17.58 +/- 2.47 mm and 12.1 +/- 0.97 mm respectively without sexual. Conclusion: Shape and size analysis of the piriform aperture and nasal bone showed the existence of a significant sexual dimorphism. These results encourage us to go further with functional and imaging correlations. This study will also be helpful in forensic research and anthropology.