Eur J Anat, 10 (3): 91-96 (2006)

Correlation of the gonial angle with condylar measurements on dry mandible: A morphometric study for clinical-surgical and physiotherapeutic practices

Da Costa De Sousa J., Machado F.A., Porto Silva P.A., Cardinot T.M., Babinski M.A.

Post-Graduate Program in Anatomy and Biomechanics, Castelo Branco University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Brazilian Army Physical Activity Research Institute (IPCFEx), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Department of Morphology, Biomedical Institute, Fluminense Federal University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Brazilian Army School of Physical Education (EsEFEx), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Emergency Medicine Department, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Brazilian Army Physical Activity Research Institute (IPCFEx), Av. J. L. Alves s/n (S. J. Fortress), 22291-090, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to establish morphometrically a correlation of gonial angle size with condylar measures on Brazilian mandibles. For this purpose, we analyzed 220 mandibles. The measurements obtained were: length, in millimeters (mm), of each mandibular condyle (left/right), on two planes: anteroposterior and mesolateral; and gonial angle, in degrees (A°), on each side of the mandible. Data were analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Pearson's test and the Mann-Whitney unpaired test, considering differences with p<0.05 as significant. The morphometric correlation of the parameters analyzed in the mandibles showed a statistically significant positive Pearson correlation. Our results support a multifactorial model of structural variations of the condyle and angle of the mandible, and these factors determine the morphological characteristics of the mandible. In addition, we suggest that they should be considered in clinical-surgical evaluations and be remembered during the procedures used for physiotherapy.

Keywords: article, controlled study, correlation analysis, correlation coefficient, data analysis, human, Kolmogorov Smirnov test, mandible, mandible condyle, measurement, medical practice, morphometrics, physiotherapy, rank sum test