Genderwise Morphometric Database From Adult Atlas and Axis

Identification of sex from skeletal remains is of great medicolegal and anthropological importance. Sound knowledge of upper two cervical vertebrae i.e. Atlas and Axis is a well established entity in Anatomy. Their morphometric findings and sexual dimorphism make them of interest for forensic experts also. Morphometric study of atlas and dens of axis (a peg like projection superiorly 1.5 cm from body of axis) was performed in department of Anatomy, GMC, Amritsar. The study samples were selected to include 30 specimens each of atlas and axis vertebrae and results were compared with other studies. Measurements were made using sliding Vernier callipers.