Morphometry and Significance of the Carrying Angle of Elbow among 18-25 years Old Yorubas in Southwest Nigeria

The carrying angle (CA) is an important anthropometric parameter with a wide range of significance and applications in forensic medicine and clinical procedures that involve the upper extremities. This study was conducted to evaluate the CA among the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria and elucidate its significance. This study was conducted among 220 subjects comprising 100 males and 120 females between 18-25 years belonging to the Yoruba tribe in Southern Nigeria. The biodata of the subjects was obtained, and the CA was assessed as the angle formed between the longitudinal axes of the arm and forearm. Data obtained was presented as mean ± SD and comparison was conducted using t-test with p < 0.05 considered as statistically significant. Among the study population, the mean CA was 12.450 ± 3.180; the mean CA value among the males (11.340 ± 2.670) was significantly lower (p = 0.024) than that of the females (13.250 ± 3.110); and the mean left CA value (11.980 ± 3.020) was significantly lower (p = 0.024) than that of the right side (13.120 ± 2.630). The right CA was significantly higher than the left CA in females only (p = 0.045). The carrying angle showed significant (p<0.05) sex and bilateral differences among the study population thereby indicating its relevance as an important anthropometric parameter in forensic medicine and related clinical procedures among the study population.

Key Words: carrying angle, sexual dimorphism, Yoruba tribe, Nigeria