title: Brief communication: non-circular geometry and radiogrammetry of the second metacarpal.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Anthropology Programme, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lazenby
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008663:Metacarpus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography