MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF EXTERNAL EAR OF MEDICAL STUDENTS IN COLLEGE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES AND TEACHING HOSPITAL, BHARATPUR, CHITWAN, NEPAL
Ruku Pandit, Nitasha Sharma, Ritee Shrestha, Sheprala Shrestha, Pranav Kumar Yadav · International Journal of Anatomy and Research · 2017
Background: The human ear is unique and auricular biometrics has been adopted as reliable aid in personal identification in forensic sciences.The ear morphometry plays a critical role in reconstructive auricular and peri-auricular surgery to reproduce an anatomically correct and esthetically pleasing ear.Objectives: To determine mean values of linear ear measurements and their variation with age, sex and side. Materials and Methods:The study was conducted in 192 students consisting of 98 females and 94 males, in College of Medical Science, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal.Students were categorized in three age groups (17-18 years, 19-20 years and >=21 years).Both ears and their lobule length were measured with standard Vernier caliper.The data was analysed using SPSS version 16.0.Results: The mean values of EW and LW were more on the right side than on the left in both males and females whereas mean LH was more on the right side in females only.There were significant differences in linear measurements of ear between males and females (p<0.05), the EL, EW, LL and LW being higher in males than females.Aging had a significant effect on EH in both males and females.Conclusion: This study provides mean values of different morphometric measurements of right and left ears in both sexes, which may be used as reference data to guide plastic surgeons during auricular reconstruction and may assist the forensic pathologist in the identification of a living or deceased individual.