Brief communication: non-circular geometry and radiogrammetry of the second metacarpal

Traditional radiogrammetry of the second metacarpal midshaft reconstructs cortical cross-sectional geometry from mediolateral (ML) linear dimensions based on circular model. However, comparison of anteroposterior (AP) versus mediolateral radiographic dimensions in a sample of paired metacarpals show...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of physical anthropology 1995-07, Vol.97 (3), p.323-328
Main Author: Lazenby, R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Female
Geometry
Humans
Male
Metacarpus - anatomy & histology
Metacarpus - diagnostic imaging
Middle Aged
Physical anthropology
Radiography
Online Access:Get full text
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Description
Summary:Traditional radiogrammetry of the second metacarpal midshaft reconstructs cortical cross-sectional geometry from mediolateral (ML) linear dimensions based on circular model. However, comparison of anteroposterior (AP) versus mediolateral radiographic dimensions in a sample of paired metacarpals shows that AP total and medullary widths typically exceed ML widths by 5% to 10%. As well, in 13% of males and 25% of females, the two metacarpals are dissimilarly shaped, i.e., the AP/ML ratio is > 1.0 for one side and < 1.0 for the other. This situation exaggerates the differences in geometric properties between sides and constitutes a potentially significant source of bias for analyses of bilateral asymmetry. These results suggest that the circular model is inappropriate for estimation of cross-sectional geometry at this anatomical location.
ISSN:0002-9483