Reconstruction of Humeral Length from Measurements of its Segments in South Indian Population

Background: Morphometric examination of skeletal remains of long bones is important in medico legal investigations in absence of pelvis or cranium to estimate the stature of the individual. The aim of present study was to determine the maximum length of humerus by measuring its segments, which may be useful for estimation of humeral length from the fragments and there by estimation of stature of the individual in various medico legal and archaeological studies. Materials and Methods: 250 dry humerus bones (250 left and 250 right) of unknown sex were collected and studied. The parameters measured were maximum humeral length (MHL) ; length of five different humeral segments viz. most proximal point on humeral head and greater tuberosity (H1), most proximal point on humeral head and lower margin of anatomical neck (H2), proximal and distal point on the edge of olecranon fossa (H3), distal point on the edge of olecranon fossa and distal point on the trochlea of humerus (H4) and proximal point on the edge of olecranon fossa and distal point on the trochlea of humerus; by means of osteometric board and digital vernier caliper. Simple linear regressions (p less than 0.01) were made to correlate the length of segments with maximum humeral length. Results: In both left and right humerii, best estimates were observed with all the segments. Regression formulae were obtained to define the maximum humeral length from each segment from both sides. Conclusion: This present study demonstrated that maximum length of humerus can be determined by measurement of its segments. It helps in various medico legal and archaeological studies, it also helps orthopedic surgeons in reconstruction of fragments in treatment of proximal and distal humerus fractures.