A STUDY TO CORRELATE THE STATURE WITH THE LENGTH OF ULNA IN LIVING HUMANS IN VARIOUS AGE GROUPS

Aim: The purpose of the study was to establish the correlation between length of ulna with height of a person in various age groups and in both sexes. The study also intended to compare the two basic parameters used globally for such correlations, namely multiplication factor (M.F.) and regression equation; and try to comment on the efficacy of one formula over the other. Introduction: Height of an individual has evoked great interest since ancient time. The subject as a whole has been dealt with in different ways to predict the human stature. In ancient times, physicians & surgeons like Charak & Sushruta were well acquainted with the relation of different parts of body with height. According to Charak, the height of an average man should be 84 -anguls, thigh-21 anguls, forearm -15 anguls & arm-16 anguls. Dwarfism and gigantism, both resulting from hormonal dysfunction, are examples of variations in normal body height. Method & Material: In the present study 504 individuals were studied. Study ranged across the age groups from 8 years to 22 years. Equal participation of males and females was ensured. Thus, 252 males (50%) and 252 females (50%) were included in the study. Observation: On an average the M.F. for male is between 6.05 – 6.76 for right ulna and 6.08-6.79 for left ulna. Discussion: It was observed that height estimation using M.F. is much simpler, easy and less time consuming; yet enough efficient; as compared to using regression equation. Conclusion: 1) M.F. is more applicable in medico-legal cases where one may be confronted with a single or fragmented bone, and person’s height needs to be ascertained. 2) Regression equation is applicable in sample study of large population.


Introduction
Human stature has always been a symbol of an authority, physical prowess and dominance over other living beings, whether in human or in animal kingdom. Man has always tried to impress others by virtue of his height and built since beginning of civilization. The height of an individual has changed from earlier times to the present. It is a well known fact that anthropometric studies of bones give us information regarding age, race, sex and height of a person. This information is of great value to the medical detectives in determining the age, race, sex and height of a deceased person. There are two ways by which we can determine the height of an individual i.e. from cadaveric bones and in living subjects. According to Trotter & Gleser (1952) 2 there is an increase in height of 2.5cm after death when measurement is taken in recumbent position. Hence, the present study is done on living persons belonging to the age group between 8-22 years. The forearm bone ulna is mostly subcutaneous throughout its length and easily approachable for measurement, Hence ulna was selected for estimation of height in present study. This collected data can be used medicolegally to determine the stature, sex, race, age and built of an individual from remains either in-toto or in fragments.

Material and method
The project "A study to correlate the stature with the length of ulna in living humans in various age groups" was carried out in Smt. Data was analyzed after classifying the individuals in 14 groups, with one year age difference. Comparative analysis of various groups was done using standard statistical methods. The analyzed data was recorded and tabulated for observation and interpretation in the light of relevant precedence. Regression coefficient is a measure of the change in one character with one unit change in the other.
Step 2: Estimated height (Y) is obtained by regression equation Y = + bY.X Where is the length of ulna. is mean of the length of ulna. Y is actual height of person.
is mean of actual height.

Observation:
Following tables are self-explanatory.

Discussion and conclusions
The present study was carried out in the department of Anatomy, Smt. B.K. Shah Medical Institute and Research Centre, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Piparia. The purpose of the study was to establish the correlation between length of ulna with height of a person in various age groups and in both sexes. The study also intended to compare the two basic parameters used globally for such correlations, namely multiplication factor and regression equation; and try to comment on the efficacy of one formula over the other. All results thus obtained were compared and analyzed with findings of similar studies conducted down the timeline, across the globe In the present study 504 individuals were studied. The individuals were segregated in 14 groups as per their age. Study ranged across the age groups from 8 years to 22 years. Equal participation of males and females was ensured. Thus, 252 males (50%) and 252 females (50%) were included in the study. The length of ulna was measured and height was estimated by multiplication factor. Viz.; In present study,on an average the M.F. for male is between 6.05 -6.76 for right ulna and 6.08-6.79 for left ulna. These findings are similar to the findings of Nat (1936) 3 and Lal (1972) 6 According to Pan (1924) the M.F. of ulna in females was 6.0 whereas according to Lal

Growth patterns of ulna in males and females.
Length of the bone is represented graphically and following observations are noted.
The ulnar length in females shows three activities of growth. They are between 9-15 years, 16-18 years and 20-22 years of age reaching a maximum of 24.65 cm at 19-20years of age. Formicola (1996) 9 stated that regression equations were particularly useful when very short or very tall individuals were involved. At the same time, they were among the best predictors of stature in less extreme conditions. Maijanen H (2009) 10 observed that in practice, differences between the versions as well as those between long bone-based equations and anatomical methods were small. Anatomical method is nevertheless more accurate than long bone regressions when individuals with atypical body proportions are examined. Conclusions 1) The study concludes that in males, the M.F. for right ulna was 6.05-6.72, and 6.08-6.79 for left ulna. 2) Similarly in females, the M.F. for right ulna was 6.41-6.83, and 6.42-6.83 for left ulna.
3) The M.F. for ulna was on a higher side as compared to other studies. 4) It was observed that height estimation using M.F. is much simpler, easy and less time consuming; yet enough efficient; as compared to using regression equation. Both the methods have their own utilities. M.F. is more applicable in medico-legal cases where one may be confronted with a single or fragmented bone, and person's height needs to be ascertained. Regression equation is applicable in sample study of large population. It is also useful in cases of en mass medico-legal studies, like excavation of mass graves of war crimes. The equation can be of great help in archeological excavations, where approximate age of person is known. 5) It is observed that females grow steadily in height from the age of 8 years, till the age of 18-19 years. By then the ulna achieves its maximum length. In males, the growth starts at the age of 8 years and continues till the age of 19-20 years till the ulna reaches its maximum length. Thus it can be inferred that despite the fact that the height and ulnar growth initiates at the age of 8 years in both sexes, females acquire the maximum height and corresponding maximum length of ulna a year earlier than male