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Background The human ear is a distinctive facial feature, revealing valuable information about ethnicity, gender, and age. Anthropometric measures play a crucial role in fields such as forensic medicine, prosthetics, and plastic surgery. The external ear, known for its diversity in structure and individual characteristics, has become a subject of interest in various populations. This study aims to determine the mean values of morphometric measurements for both right and left ears while exploring sexual dimorphism in ear dimensions. Methodology A prospective, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 volunteers from the eastern province of Saudi Arabia, comprising 98 males and 102 females, at the Department of Anatomy, Institute of Medical Sciences, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. Participants were randomly selected from King Fahad University Hospital workers and patients. Using a Vernier caliper and after obtaining consent, various aspects of ear morphology were measured. The study employed statistical analyses such as the volunteers' t-test, Pearson's coefficient of correlation, and linear regression equations. Results In males, the mean total height of the right and left ears was 6.054 ± 0.5394 and 6.044 ± 0.5235 cm, respectively, while for females, it was 5.489 ± 0.4481 and 5.763 ± 4.8446 cm, respectively. The mean widths, heights, and other dimensions of the ears exhibited variations between genders. Conclusions The study provides comprehensive insights into the dimensions and indices of the pinna among the population of the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. The findings confirmed the presence of sexual dimorphism in the ear measurements, consistent with observations in other ethnic groups.
RESUMO
The trigeminal nerve is responsible for transmitting sensory information from the face, nasal and mouth cavities, and most of the scalp. Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic facial pain disorder characterized by spontaneous paroxysmal pain throughout the distribution of the trigeminal nerve. This study investigated the morphological and morphometric variations of the foramen rotundum (FR) and its association with TN through a retrospective radiological analysis. A cohort of 97 participants from King Fahad University Hospital, Saudi Arabia, comprising 57 TN patients and 40 controls, underwent head CT scans for measurement and analysis. The study revealed significant differences in the FR morphology between TN patients and controls, particularly noting narrower FR measurements among TN individuals, especially in females. The right side demonstrated narrower FR dimensions, potentially correlating with the predominant side of pain in TN patients. While the presence of bony spurs was absent in all participants, variations in FR shape, size, and spatial positioning were observed and compared across genders and groups. These findings provide crucial insights into the potential anatomical factors contributing to TN, emphasizing the importance of understanding FR variations in clinical assessment and management of TN cases. Further research focusing on FR morphology and its clinical implications is recommended to enhance understanding and aid medical professionals in addressing TN-related concerns.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Body mass index is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used in classifying overweight and obesity in adult populations and individuals. OBJECTIVES: A study was conducted to screen the medical students of AIMST University for overweight/obesity using Body Mass Index(BMI) and to determine the prevalence among them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an institution based cross sectional study was conducted among 290 medical students using a pre-tested questionnaire and measured their Body Mass Index (BMI). Data obtained was analyzed statistically by calculating proportions. RESULTS: Out of 290 students who participated in the study, 45.2% were males. In the study, 14.8% were found to be overweight (BMI 23-24.9 kg/m2); 13.7% of males and 15.7% of females. Pre-obese students (BMI 25-29kg/m2) accounted for 15.9% of the total (males 18.3% and females 13.8%). 5.2% were found to be obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2): males 9.2% and females 1.9%. Also 14.8% were found to be underweight (males 12.2% and females 17.0%). The study group consisted of 63.8% Indian, 32.4% Chinese and 3.8% Malay students. CONCLUSIONS: The study reveals that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among the medical students of AIMST University is on the high, which is comparable to the findings of earlier studies conducted in Malaysia, reinforcing the need to encourage healthy lifestyle, healthy food habits and a physically active daily routine, among the adolescents and youth of this country.