Sex variances in palate and maxillo-alveolar breadth in the north-eastern Bulgarian population

Introduction: The cranium is the most studied bone conglomerate in anthropomorphology.  Determining the sex, based on the cranial proportions is a key step in human bone remains analysis, with all other aspects being dependent on it. The purpose of this study was to measure the palate breadth (PB) and the maxillo-alveolar breadth (MAB), using craniometrical methods and establish the sex variances in the proportions of the maxilla in the north-eastern population of Bulgarian.Methods: We used skeletal remains, which were beforehand determined as either male or female with the help of the Anthropolog digital algorithm. The study included n=11 skulls, of which n=6 male and n=5 female kept in the Clinic of Forensic Medicine and Deontology at the `St. Marina` University Hospital, Varna, Bulgaria. The remains had an overall normal anatomical appearance and existing or postmortem dropped out molars. Two breadth ratios of the maxilla were measured, using a drawing compass, between two sets of a total of four craniometrical landmarks- left and right endomolare points (ENM) and left and right ektomolare points (EKM). The ENM-ENM breadth represents the PB and EKM-EKM breadth represents MAB.Results: The mean PB measured was 40.5mm (p>0.05), standard deviation ±1.22mm, median 40mm, range 39-42mm for males and 36.66mm (p>0.05), standard deviation ±1.82mm, median 36mm, range 35-39mm for females. The mean MAB measured was 59.5mm (p>0.05), standard deviation ±1.52mm, median 59.5mm, range 58-62mm for males and 54.6mm (p>0.05), standard deviation ±.3.85mm, median 56mm, range 50-58mm for females.Conclusion: PB and MAB show sex differences, with both breadths being larger in males. The result however, although promising, prompt further research into this area to determine greater, statistically significant sex variances in the maxillary breadth proportions of the north-eastern population of Bulgaria.