Is there any Sexual Dimorphism among Metopic Suture

The knowledge of the anatomy of the metopic suture is important because its permanence can be mistaken for a cranial fracture in radiological images. Possible existence of sexual dimorphism many aid to the identification.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the possible existence of sexual dimorphism in metopic suture in south Indian adult skulls.

One hundred and eighty dry human adult skulls of known sex (n=88 female, n=92 male) available from the department of S. N. Medical College, Bagalkot were included in the study. Each skulls was observed for metopic suture, location (complete, incomplete - upper part, upper middle, lower middle and lower part) and also the shape of metopic suture(linear, V- shaped, double line).

Complete metopic suture was seen 5(2.77%) of skulls of which 3(3.26%) were male and 2(2.27%) were female. Incomplete metopic suture was seen in 65 (36.11%) of skulls of which 30 (32.60%) were male and 35(39.77%) were female. No significant sexual dimorphism was observed in incidence of complete and incomplete metopic suture (P = 0.677 and 0.247 respectively). Among the shape of metopic suture, linear type predominated (16.66%) then followed by double type (14.44%) and least being V- shaped (5.0%). Linear type predominated in male skulls (18.47%) while double line type predominated in female skulls (20.45%). Statistical significance observed in double line type with P value of 0.046.

As a conclusion, there is no statistically significant sexual dimorphism in the incidence of both complete and incomplete metopic suture in the present study. Statistical significance is observed in double line type of metopic suture (p=0.046).