Morphometric Study of the Acromion Process of Human Scapula in Nigerian Population

The acromion is one of the processes of the scapula. Acromial morphology plays an important role in forensics and in orthopedics where it has a correlation with some shoulder pathology (shoulder impingement Syndrome). Scapular acromion has been classified into 3 types I, II and III, with the type I more prone to shoulder impingement syndrome. Acromion morphology has also been shown to differ between races. The aim of this study was to analyze morphometric values of the acromion in the right and left scapulae of Nigerians. The study involved a total of 215 dried scapula bones consisting of 105 right and 110 left obtained from anatomy departments of various universities in Nigeria. Acromial measurements were taken directly using a Vernier caliper. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. T-test was used to compare mean values. Measurements were taken in millimeters. Parameters measured include: Acromial length, breadth, thickness, Coraco-acromial distance and glenoid acromial distance. The mean values obtained from this study for the right and left scapulae were: 44.32 ± 5.27 mm and 43.09 ± 5.15 mm, 24.25 ± 2.25 mm and 23.14 ± 2.35 mm, 7.60 ± -1.05 mm and 7.10 ± 1.15 mm, 40.05 ± 6.01 mm and 40.10 ± 7.20 mm, 30.05 ± 3.98 mm and 30.13 ± 4.02 mm, respectively. Biliteral differences and racial variation were recorded. The highest prevalence was recorded in type II acromion followed by types III and type I. The study showed that morphometry of the acromion plays a key role in forensics giving proper biological profiling for Nigerians and in orthopedics (clinical practice) in making precise evaluation of shoulder pathology.

Author(s): Bienonwu Emmanuel Osemeke*, Benwoke Woroma Ibiwari and Adagbonyin Osahenrhumwen

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