Type and Fusion Identification by Age and Sex in Human Hyoid Bone Using 3D CT Images in a Turkish Sample

Abstract

The morphometric measurement of the hyoid bone has been extensively studied in the literature, although morphological evaluations are covered in a limited number of studies. The aim of this study was to ascertain the fusion status and hyoid bone type and their relationships with age groups and sex. An examination was made of computed tomography scans of 320 patients. The types and degrees of fusion of the hyoid bone were determined. Hyoid type-U was most frequently observed in males (25.6%), type-D in females (31.9%) and the overall population (30.8%). There was no statistically significant difference in fusion formation on the right and left sides. The number of bones with fusion increased in both sexes with age (p=0.001). The earliest fusion observed was in a case aged 16 years, and 50% of the cases did not have fusion at age 61 years or older. Unlike previous studies, hyoid type and fusion status were evaluated using discriminant function analysis. Hyoid type and fusion cannot be indicative criteria for sex and age determination, but it might be feasible to accurately identify a person younger than twenty years old. The data obtained in the current study can be considered to make an important contribution to future studies.