Sex determination from hard palate measurements using palatine index with reference to its clinical implications

Objective: To determine the sexual dimorphism of hard palate and to classify hard palate using palatine index. Method: Present study was conducted in 90 dry skulls of South Indian region. Sex of the skull was determined and various measurements were taken and compared to determine sexual dimorphism. The parameters measured were maximum length of hard palate, maximum width of hard palate and palatine index was calculated. Results: The average values of maximum length of palate for male and female cases were 3.98±0.44 and 3.72±0.54 cms respectively. The aevarage value of maximum palatal width was 3.53±0.40 cms in males and 3.23±0.45 cms in females. The maximum palatal length and width were higher in males when compared to females (p value0.05 and it was statistically insignificant. Majority of male skulls had brachystaphyline type of palate (54.17%) whereas in females 40.48% belonged to leptostaphyline and 40.48% to brachystaphyline type. Conclusion: The study shows that the maximum palatal length and width is higher in males than females in the south Indian population. According to palatine index, Majority of the hard palates belonged to the category of brachystaphyline type in the south Indian region which correlated with other studies conducted in the same population. Key words: Sexual dimorphism, Hard palate, South India