Alanna Mayberry Paleopathology: Mock Grant Proposal 5/8/2013
(Mock Grant Proposal: Senior Experience Project)
Gaither Foundation: Science of AnthropologyGrant Submission
Deadline: May 8th, 2013 (Submitted to: CatherineGaither, Ph.D)
Cover Sheet:
Research Focus: Determining the presence of quantifiable sexual dimorphism as it relates to the metatarsal dimensions of immature remains.
Total Funding Requested:
$17,646.00
Name and Contact information of Primary Researcher:
Alanna Mayberry – [email protected]
Metropolitan State University of Denver
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Alanna Mayberry Paleopathology: Mock Grant Proposal 5/8/2013
Grantee Signature: ______________________ Date:_________
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Alanna Mayberry Paleopathology: Mock Grant Proposal 5/8/2013
Overview
In humans, most of the morphological characteristics that
allow one to determine the sex of a set of skeletal remains are
only viable in adults. Most often these characteristics do not
show sexual dimorphism in the immature skeleton until well after
the onset of puberty (Baker et al. 2010). This limitation is
seen when attempting to sex remains determined to be under the
age of 18, specifically those under the age of 16 (Baker et al.
2010). Due to this limitation there is currently no academically
accepted method of sexing immature remains (Schaefer et al.
2009). Several research studies have been conducted in an effort
to establish an acceptable set of standards for sexing the
skeletal remains of juveniles (Gould et al. 1990, Boucher 1955,
Fazekas and Kosa 1978, Mountrakis et al. 2010, Rosing 1983, Sauzo
et al. 2008, Smith 1997, Zadsinska et al. 2008). Research has
tested characteristics related to the structure of the mandible,
metric measurements of dentition, and even the lateral angle of
the internal auditory canal(Sauzo et al. 2008, Franklin et al.
2007, Goncalves et al. 2011). While each of these studies show
some level of success in the method being tested no one study
produced results with a high enough level of accuracy and
population consistency to support the creation of a new standard
of evaluation.
The proposed research will focus on the use of measureable
characteristics of the metatarsals, which have been shown to be
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Alanna Mayberry Paleopathology: Mock Grant Proposal 5/8/2013
accurate in determining sex in adult remains, as a reliable
method of sex estimation in immature remains. If the metatarsals
prove to be a consistent measurement of sexual dimorphism in pre-
pubescent remains, it would establish a foundation for setting a
standard of sex estimation in juveniles. The creation of an
academically recognized standard for sex determination in
immature remains would be a huge step forward for physical
anthropology. This type of standard would benefit several of the
applied sub-disciplines of physical anthropology including those
that work with human biological remains from either the past or
the present.
While the contribution this research can make to physical
anthropology is vast, the methods and materials needed are
actually quite minimal. In defining a method of measurement and
evaluation related to previous studies completed on adult
metatarsals, I was able to identify an osteological collection
that would provide a large enough test sample for accurate and
complete testing. Furthermore, I have created a comprehensive
list of materials needed for this study that can be found below.
Additionally, I have also included an overall concept of the
methodology and structure of data collection I plan to use in
completing the proposed research, as well as the expectations I
have for my findings. Finally, I have provided a clear outline
of the timeframe and an accounting of the financial resources
needed to complete the proposed research. I believe the balance
between the research and expected expenses are well worth the Page 4 of 21
Alanna Mayberry Paleopathology: Mock Grant Proposal 5/8/2013
investment when weighed against the overall data this study can
produce, whether the findings are as expected or not.
Literature Review
As previously noted, there is no current standard for sex
estimation in immature skeletal remains; however, there have been
numerous studies that have focused on one characteristic or
another in an effort to create a global standard (Gould et al.
1990, Boucher 1955, Fazekas and Kosa 1978, Mountrakis et al.
2010, Rosing 1983, Sauzo et al. 2008, Smith 1997, Zadsinska et
al. 2008). The studies that have shown measurable success have
focused on the use of perinatal remains but have proved to be
unreliable when applied to older pre-pubescent remains. Those
that have shown success in older immature remains have been found
to be applicable only to certain populations and cannot be easily
tailored to other populations. One such study, done by B.J.
Boucher (1955), focused on the depth and width of the sciatic
notch of the ilium and successfully showed sexual dimorphism in
British Caucasoid and North American Negroid fetal remains.
Boucher’s success was also shared by Fazekas and Kosa (1978),
when they conducted a second study using Hungarian forensic fetal
material and obtained similar results. However, when additional
studies were conducted by different researchers, including one
completed by D.S. Weaver (1979), who utilized recent US fetal and
infant remains, and Molleson and Cox (1993) who worked with
British archaeological remains of known sex, no such sexual
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Alanna Mayberry Paleopathology: Mock Grant Proposal 5/8/2013
dimorphism was found. These inconsistencies established an
obvious pattern of population dependent dimorphism that would
continue to plague further attempts to establish practical
techniques for juvenile sex estimation (Cox, Mays 2006).
Another factor that also affected the accuracy of sex
determination studies in immature remains was the variation of
growth based on the age of the individual. A published study by
F.W. Rosing specified that “of all the morphological structures
and regions of the human skeleton there was only one which does
not change size or shape after initial development: the teeth”
(Rosing 1983; pg. 149). It was with this thought in mind that
Rosing (1983) developed a metric evaluation of human adult teeth
to establish a standard that could be also used on immature
remains. While his discriminate function analysis yielded a high
rate of success for each established measurement combination, his
focus on adult dentition limited its practical application to
deciduous teeth. Additionally the use of discriminant functions
meant the results would only be applicable to the populations
used in the study and would not be useful for other populations
not specified (Rosing 1983).
A later study used deciduous dentition to diagnose sex of
sub-adult specimens from Medieval Polish archaeological sites.
To ensure the accuracy of the methods being tested, the research
team first established the genetic sex of each specimen using
three sex-associated DNA sequences. While the initial results
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Alanna Mayberry Paleopathology: Mock Grant Proposal 5/8/2013
indicated a much larger measurement for male molars than female
molars, final evaluations of the data collected showed human
deciduous dentition to exhibit a low level of sexual dimorphism.
In addition to yielding less than statistically significant
results, the use of deciduous teeth also proved to be heavily
swayed by population differences. (Zadsinska et al. 2008)
Accuracy studies have also been conducted on methods that
have boasted favorable results. One such method tested was the
use of mandibular morphology as a sex indicator in sub-adult
mandibles. This accuracy study was conducted as a blind test of
the results reported by Loth and Henneberg in 2001 that claimed a
high degree of accuracy (80%) in sex determination was obtained
by observing the mandibular body shape of juvenile remains. The
study utilized 33 immature mandibles of known sex, 20 males and
13 females. While the process was completed to the specification
of Loth and Henneberg, the results did not reach the same level
of accuracy. The blind test was completed by two different
analysts with unbiased observers watching each evaluation. Both
analyses yielded an accuracy level of 70% when assessing male
measurements but only a 38% and 46% level of accuracy for
determining female dentition measurements. Neither evaluation
was able to reproduce the 80% accuracy level reported in the
original study. Also noted in this study was an academic
evaluation of the dentition research done by Rosing explaining an
additional limitation to his study: the need for an eruption
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Alanna Mayberry Paleopathology: Mock Grant Proposal 5/8/2013
tooth and dissection of the intraosseous region was required for
evaluation (Sauzo et al. 2008).
By reviewing several of the previously completed studies
that have focused on sexing sub-adults, it was clear the common
path was to utilize characteristics that had shown success in
adult remains. Based on the varying degrees of success and the
limitations that were encountered, it is likely that the missing
factor when trying to apply adult measurements to children is
accounting for the growth patterns of children at different
developmental stages. A study conducted on the growth of
children’s feet from the ages of 1 to 5 showed that while the
growth in boys and girls feet are parallel in rate, the average
boys foot was one size longer and one size wider than a females
of the same age (Gould et al. 1990). An additional study
conducted using the metatarsals of adults from a modern Athens
collection also determined that metatarsal bones may be used for
sex determination in adult skeletal remains from Greece. The
results suggested that the metatarsal bones exhibited a
significant sexual dimorphism in the studied population.
Additionally the results were cross-validated and provided 77.9-
86.4% level of accuracy in the sex determination of adult
metatarsals. (Mountrakis et al. 2010)
Methods and Materials
Based on the conclusions from Gould et al. (1990) and
Mountrakis et al. (2010) it is my belief that a correlation may
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Alanna Mayberry Paleopathology: Mock Grant Proposal 5/8/2013
very well exist between the metatarsal lengths of children in
relation to sex and stage of development. To establish if this
correlation exists I have laid out a method of study and the
materials needed to complete each task. The first task was to
find an osteological collection that provided a large sample of
immature remains where the sex was predetermined, this allowed
for verification of any findings that had a relation to the sex
of the subject. The collection I found that best fit the needs
of this study is located at the Cleveland Museum of Natural
History (CMNH) in Ohio, known as the Hamann-Todd Human
Collection. This collection offers 50 immature sets of remains
0-17 years of age that include the postcranial skeleton.
Additionally, these 50 subjects are divided almost evenly with 23
males and 27 females, which should allow for more accurate data.
Permission for use of this collection based on the research being
proposed has been granted by the Physical Anthropology
Collections Manager of the CMNH, Lyman Jellema (Cleveland Museum
of Natural History 2013).
The initial step was to outline the data to be collected.
To do this I had to consider the type of parameters I would be
evaluating. As previously noted, the data should account for
variations related to both age and population; this should be
represented with each sample. Additionally data will need to be
collected in two manners: 1.) Accounting for the number of
metatarsals available for each subject and ensuring uniformity in
the available number of specimens being measured and, 2.) Page 9 of 21
Alanna Mayberry Paleopathology: Mock Grant Proposal 5/8/2013
Consideration for the incomplete growth that will be seen since
the samples are from immature skeletal remains. While a sample
does not have to be discarded if not all metatarsals are
available for measurement, it should be removed from any
calculations that are dependent upon the relational measurements
of each metatarsal for one subject. Each measurement taken will
be taken as outlined by Martin and Saller (Stuttgart, Lehrbuch der
Anthropologie, 1959) and Smith (1997), however, to compensate for
the varying level of epiphyseal closure the measurements will be
collected twice, once including the epiphysis and once without.
Each metatarsal will be measured by two different analysts
including myself and one other person for each set of data
needed. I have created a standard form for each measurement
record that will be collected from each sample for use by every
analyst (Appendix A).
Additional accommodations in the methods of evaluation also
need to be considered. In an effort to limit the role population
and age may play in the results of the data several aspects need
to be recognized as possible barriers. The first being the
overall sample size and population variation. Currently the
sample selected will only encompass populations of American black
and American white, which can easily tender results that are
population specific. One possible method that may eliminate any
bias related to population may include the use of blind
measurements. Since it is not possible to understand the type of
effect population will have on the measurements, the measurementsPage 10 of 21
Alanna Mayberry Paleopathology: Mock Grant Proposal 5/8/2013
will need to be evaluated on the basis of population affiliation
as well as on the whole with population being a blind value. A
second consideration needs to look at the role the overall sample
size will play in the final statistical analysis. The smaller a
sample size is the more effect it will have on the accuracy of a
calculated confidence interval. Due to the limited sample size
available for this particular study, I will incorporate multiple
statistical evaluations to help ensure and increase the level of
accuracy. While not all statistical evaluations that can be
completed are evident at this point, certain approaches are
absolutely necessary. Some basic statistical analysis will be
required to evaluate the different group measurements including
population group measurements, age group measurements, and each
blind measurement group. The expected statistical tools would
include confidence interval evaluation of the calculated null
hypothesis for the different types of measurement groups,
statistical averaging, measuring anthropometric differences, and
calculating the level of significance to check the likelihood of
a type 1 error (rejecting the null hypothesis when it is actually
true) (Bluman 2011).
Outside of the mathematical methods and establishing the
measuring groups, the other important aspect of this study is the
manpower needed to be successful in completing the proposed
research. Because each metatarsal will be measured twice, once
by me and a second time by a second staff member, the number of
measurements being taken may reach as many as 7,000. Based on Page 11 of 21
Alanna Mayberry Paleopathology: Mock Grant Proposal 5/8/2013
the sheer number of measurements expected to be collected it
would be useful to have a minimum of 3 additional people to
collect measurement data on site at the CMNH. If fully staffed
with myself and 3 additional students, the amount of time being
requested for data collection will be 10 days. This timeframe
should allow for the initial data collection, an accuracy review
for missing or incorrect data including measurement variations
outside of the academically acceptable range (a 2 mm variation
will be the standard) as well as time to return to the collection
to correct any mistakes. Once all the data is collected and
reviewed for accuracy, the analysis of this data will also
require additional help upon return to the Metropolitan State
University of Denver. The same three students or interns would
be ideal for all data entry of the collected measurements and a
statistician or mathematician would be ideal for verification of
all statistical analyses. The students selected to complete the
measurements at the CMNH are required to be at a junior level
status or higher, anthropology majors, and have completed a
minimum of two osteology or forensic anthropology related
courses. A projected budget assessing the expected financial
needs to cover all materials and related staff for completion of
the proposed research can be found below in the budget section.
Expected Results
The proposed research will outline the presence of any
quantifiable sexual dimorphism as it relates to the metatarsal
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Alanna Mayberry Paleopathology: Mock Grant Proposal 5/8/2013
dimensions of immature remains. It is specifically designed to
address research identified issues related to the morphological
changes that occur at different stages of growth development. It
should also recognize and account for variations that occur in
human remains from one population to the next. While not all
parameters can be known until the data has been collected, the
expectations of this research is to show that sexual differences
are present in the metatarsals of immature remains and can be
used to estimate sex.
While the focus of this research is clearly defined, the
results can be represented on different levels. One possible
outcome is that no relationship can be established between
metatarsal dimensions and a specimen’s sex. While this is the
least desirable outcome of this study, it would still provide new
insight in the effort to establish an academically recognized
standard for immature sex estimation. A second possible outcome
would show sexual dimorphism in the metatarsal measurements but
would have limitations, either related to population affiliation,
stage of development, or some combination of both. While still
not the ideal outcome for this research, it would present a new
avenue of study to consider. If sexual dimorphism does exist,
even with limitations, the study can be repeated on a larger
sample that incorporates more variety in the populations and age
groups represented. If an overarching standard cannot be created
maybe a population specific database similar to what we see with
FORDISC 3.0 (Ousley and Jantz, 2005) can. As useful as this typePage 13 of 21
Alanna Mayberry Paleopathology: Mock Grant Proposal 5/8/2013
of database has proven to be, it would require a large effort on
the part of the researchers involved. It would also require
input from the anthropology community at large to ensure all
possible sampling is collected. The most ideal situation would
be results, which show a clearly defined relationship between
metatarsal measurements and the sex of the remains that is not
dependent on age grouping or population affiliation. These
results would be a promising start to creating a global standard
that can be applied to any set of immature remains that still
retain one or more metatarsals. If the data represents
unfettered results then further research will need to be
completed on larger samples representing as much population
diversity as possible to ensure there are global applications to
the methods being developed.
When considering the conclusions that have been reached in
prior studies related to immature sex estimation, it is difficult
to define what results are expected of this proposed study.
Realistically, understanding the previously reached limitations
of prior studies and taking into account the success seen in the
Mountrakis et al. (2010), it is not exceptional to expect this
study will show a quantifiable level of sexual dimorphism in the
sample selected. The cause for consternation lies with the
unknown of how population affiliation and the stages of growth
development will affect the practical application of the expected
results. Additional efforts will be taken to ensure these
limitations are evaluated in every possible respect. Overall Page 14 of 21
Alanna Mayberry Paleopathology: Mock Grant Proposal 5/8/2013
this study will provide valuable insight to the currently
recognized issue of calculating sex in pre-pubescent remains.
Budget
I, Alanna Mayberry, will be the principle anthropologist
conducting this research. Additional input on the data collected
and the methods used may also be conferred upon by additional
anthropology staff at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Further resources of study will also be available through the
above mentioned institution including but not limited to:
academic texts, access to peer reviewed materials, work space
facilities, and computer access. Taking into account the
resources already available, listed below is a table that covers
additional funding needed to complete the proposed research.
This table includes personnel costs, office supplies and
equipment expenses as well as travel accommodations. The
outlined budget would include full travel and room accommodations
for the principal researcher as well as room and board for the
accompanying student interns needed for data collection. Each
listed expense was carefully researched and established based on
industry standards. However, variations in travel expenses may
occur based on the actual timeframe of when travel will be
completed.
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Alanna Mayberry Paleopathology: Mock Grant Proposal 5/8/2013
Requested Additional Funding:
Gaither Foundation Proposed Research Expenses
Research Focus:Sex Estimation of Immature Remains using
Metatarsal Measurements
Personnel Title Funding TypeRequested Total
Alanna MayberryAnthropologist
Salary/Wages: Grantfunded 5% time ($45,810 @ 5%)
$2,291.00
$2,291.00
Student Workers x 3 (Cleveland Museum of Natural History) Intern (3)
Stipend ($70/weekdayx 8 weekdays)
$1,680.00
$1,680.00
Student Workers x 3 (Data entry/analysis) Intern (3)
Wages: $9/hrx 36 hr max $972.00 $972.00
Statistician or Mathematician Consultant
Contracted Srvs: $20/hrx 168 hr
$3,360.00
$3,360.00
Subtotal$8,303.
00$8,303.
00
Supplies DescriptionRequested Total
Office suppliesPaper, writing utensils, etc… $78.00 $78.00
Printer Inkprinter toner - high yield (5k) $80.00 $80.00
CameraDigital camera minimum 10MP $350.00 $350.00
Photo scales L shaped photo scale x 3 $15.00 $15.00
Memory cardMemory card 2 x 8gb or 1 x 16gb $25.00 $25.00
Flash drive Flash drive 5 x 1gb $50.00 $50.00
Photo developingPhoto Developing x 2100 max $190.00 $190.00
Subtotal $788.00 $788.00
Equipment DescriptionRequested Total
Printer Monochrome laser printer $100.00 $100.00
Digital sliding calipersPaleotech sliding calipers x 4
$1,400.00
$1,400.00
Spreading calipers Paleotech spreading $2,200. $2,200.Page 16 of 21
Alanna Mayberry Paleopathology: Mock Grant Proposal 5/8/2013
calipers x 4 00 00
Subtotal$3,700.
00$3,700.
00
Software DescriptionRequested Total
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Excel 2010 N/A N/ASubtotal $0.00 $0.00
Travel and Accommodations DescriptionRequested Total
Roundtrip FlightDenver to Cleveland to Denver $465.00 $465.00
Hotel AccommodationsHotel : 9 nights x 4 persons
$2,652.00
$2,652.00
Car Rental Car Rental 10 days $338.00 $338.00
Gas,Food, Other
Daily stipend: A. Mayberry $50/day, Student(3) $30/day
$1,400.00
$1,400.00
Subtotal$4,855.
00$4,855.
00
Grand Total$17,646
.00$17,646
.00References Cited:
Baker, Brenda J., Tosha L. Dupras, Matthew W. Tocheri2010 The Osteology of Infants and Children. Texas A&M University
Press, Texas.Bluman, Allan G.
2008 Elementary Statistics: A Step by Step Approach. 5th ed. McGraw-Hill, New York.Boucher, BJ
1955 Sex Difference in the Feotal Sciatic Notch. US: Journal of Forensic Medicine. 1955 (tDAR ID: 125201)
Cleveland Museum of Natural History2013 Hamann-Todd Human Collection Database. Electronic document,http://www.cmnh.org/site/ResearchandCollections/PhysicalAnthropology/Collections/Hamann-ToddCollection/Databases.aspx, accessed May 2, 2013.
Cox, Margaret, Simon Mays
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Alanna Mayberry Paleopathology: Mock Grant Proposal 5/8/2013
2006 Human Osteology in Archaeology and Forensic Science. Cambridge University Press, New York
Fazekas and Kosa1978 Forensic Fetal Osteology. Akademiai Kiado Publishing, Hungary
Franklin, Daniel, Oxnard, Charles, Higgins, Paul, Dadour, Ian2007 Sexual Dimorphism in the Subadult Mandible: Quantification Using Geometric Morphometrics. Journal of Forensic Science 52 (1): 6-10
Goncalves, David, Campanacho, Vanessa, Cardoso, Hugo2011 Reliability of the Lateral Angle of the Internal
Auditory Canal for Sex Determinationof Subadult Skeletal Remains. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
18: 121-124Gould, Nathaniel, Morey Moreland, Saul Trevino, Richard Alvarez, James Fenwick, Nguyen Bach
1990 Foot Growth in Children Age One to Five Years. Foot & Ankle International 10(4): 211-213
Martin, Rudolf, Karl Saller1959 Lehrbuch der Anthropologie, Gustav Fischer Veriag, Stuttgart
Molleson and Cox1993 The Spitafields Project, vol. 2: The Anthropology. TheMiddling Sort. Council for British Archaeology, York
Mountrakis, Constantine, Constantine Eliopoulos, Christos G. Koilias, Sotiris K. Manolis
2010 Sex Determination Using Metatarsal Osteometrics from the Athens Collection. Forensic Science International 200: 178.e1-178.e7
Ousley, S.D., and R.L. Jantz 2005 FORDISC 3.0: Personal Computer Forensic Discriminant
Functions. University of Tennessee: Knoxville. Rosing, F.W.
1983 Sexing Immature Human Skeletons. Journal of Human Evolution12(2): 149-155Sauzo, Ivan Claudo, Daniella Alejandro Zavando, Ricardo Luiz Smith
2008 Blind Test of Mandibular Morphology with Sex Indicator in Subadult Mandibles. International Journal of Morphology 26(4): 845-848
Schaefer, Maureen, Sue Black, Louise ScheuerPage 18 of 21
Alanna Mayberry Paleopathology: Mock Grant Proposal 5/8/2013
2009 Juvenile Osteology: A Laboratory and Field Manual. Academic Press, Burlington, MA
Smith, S. L1997 Attribution of Foot Bones to Sex and Population Groups.Journal of Forensic Sciences 42 (2): 186-195
Weaver, David S1979 Application of the Likelihood Ratio Test to Age Estimation Using the Infant and Child Temporal Bone. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 50: 263-269
Zadsinska, E., M. Karasinska, K. Jedrychowska-Danska, C. Watala, H.W. Witas
2008 Sex Diagnosis of Subadult Specimens from Medieval Polish Archaeological Sites: Metric Analysis of Deciduous Dentition. Journal of Comparative Human Biology 59: 175-187
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Appendix A: Measurement Collection Form
Analyst_______________________Sample #:________Date: ________
Time: ________Population: ___
Age: ____Sex: ____
Max Length –Left (w/oepiphysis)
MT1MT2MT3MT4MT5
Max Length –Right (w/oepiphysis)
MT1MT2MT3MT4MT5
Max Length –Left
(w/epiphysis)MT1MT2MT3MT4MT5
Max Length –Right
(w/epiphysis)MT1MT2MT3MT4MT5
Width – Left (w/oepiphysis)
MT1 MT2 MT3 MT4 MT5
Medio-lateral width of headDorso-plantar width of headMedio-lateral width at midshaftDorso-plantar width at midshaftMedio-lateral width of baseDorso-plantar width of base
Width – Right (w/oepiphysis)
MT1 MT2 MT3 MT4 MT5
Medio-lateral width of headDorso-plantar width of headMedio-lateral width at midshaftDorso-plantar width at midshaft
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Medio-lateral width of baseDorso-plantar width of base
Width – Left(w/epiphysis)
MT1 MT2 MT3 MT4 MT5
Medio-lateral width of headDorso-plantar width of headMedio-lateral width at midshaftDorso-plantar width at midshaftMedio-lateral width of baseDorso-plantar width of base
Width – Right (w/epiphysis)
MT1 MT2 MT3 MT4 MT5
Medio-lateral width of headDorso-plantar width of headMedio-lateral width at midshaftDorso-plantar width at midshaftMedio-lateral width of baseDorso-plantar width of base*Measurements completed in millimeters (mm) Population: White (W), Black (B)Sex: Male (M), Female (F)
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