Introduction: Orbital index could be defined as the percentage ratio of the orbital height to the orbital width. Aim: The purpose of the present study is to investigate the prevalent orbital class among the Igbo Ethnic group. Materials and Methods: A total number of 350 radiographic films of subjects aged between less than 1 year and 79 years were collected, comprising 217 males and 133 females, from the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria from which orbital index was calculated. The orbits were classified accordingly based on the orbital index into microseme, mesoseme or megaseme. The frequency of each orbital class was presented in percentage. Result: The results showed that the prevalent orbital class among the Igbo Ethnic group is microseme. Conclusion and Recommendation: However, whereas microseme was found to be predominant, the other orbital classes were also found within the same population. It is recommended that further studies should be carried out in other populations to find out the incidence of different orbital classes instead of concluding that an entire population has a particular orbital class based on the mean.

Introduction: Member of clariidae are the most cheered foodfish in Africa. This paper presents information on the systematic and the reproductive compatibilities in claridae which appear not to be homologous with the clariid phylogenetic deudogram. Material and Methods: Morphometric and meristic courts were done on the selected species using standard procedures. The species examined were Hetrobranchus longifilis (Valenciennes 1840), Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822), Clarias ebriensis (Pellegrin 1920) and Clarias anguillaris (Linnaeus 1758). Results: Results of osteological and morphometric analyses presented two members of Clarias genus (C.gariepinus and C.anguillaris) and a member of another genus (H. longifilis) to be closer in structural affinity than C. ebriensis despite the fact that C. ebriensis belong to the genus Clarias. These observed morphometric result support the basis for the earlier reported reproductive compatibility between H. longifilis and the large Clarias species (C.gariepinus and C.anguillaris). Discussion: The published karyological analysis of these species supports this view. These results therefore show a basal dichotomy between the two outgroups of one genus which is not related to their phyloyenetic origin. Similarity members of the large clarias have successfully been reported to undergo hybridization leading to the production of "Heteroclarias" and "Clariabranchus", a situation probably suggestive of convergent evolution of the clariids at the genus level. Conclusion: It could safely be hypothesized that ecological adaptations of reproductive structures in H. longifilis and the large Clarias which is not related to their phylogenetic origin have given rise to this reproductive compatibility.

Introduction: The normal nose morphology varies in shape and size as a result of ethnic, gender, and environmental influences therefore nasal anthropometry can be employed in classifying the race and sex of the individual whose identity is unknown. This study is aimed at deriving normal standard values for the following nasal anthropometric parameters: Nose height (NH), Nose width (NW), Nose length (NL), and Nasal index (NI) across age and sex for the Ejagham ethnic group in Cross River state of South-Nigeria. Materials and Methods: One hundred subjects (50 males and 50 females) aged 21-45 years were recruited for this study, they were further divided into five age sub-groups (21-25, 26-30, 31-35, 36-40, and 41-45 years) to observe the variation of each parameter with advancing age and sexual dimorphism. Results: Sexual dimorphism was noted (P < 0.05) as higher values were observed in males in NW and NI while females showed higher value in NH and NL (P < 0.05). Age related changes were not significant. Applying the international nose anthropometric methods to assess and compare nasal morphological characteristics, both males and females mostly have platyrrhine (broad and short) nose types of NI > 85. Conclusion: This study clearly confirms that anthropometric variation exists based on sex. These measurements in healthy subjects are useful for dysmorphologist in the early identification of some dysmorphic syndromes like cleft-lip associated with nose disorders. The data generated can also provide useful information to the rhinoplastic surgeon especially when nasal reconstruction is sort for by an individual who desire to change his nasal morphology to that of the Ejagham ethnic group of Cross River State.

Introduction: The Plantar fascia has been linked to the structural integrity of the human arch. However, no statistical relationship has been established. This work aimed at establishing a statisticostructural relationship between the plantar aponeurosis thickness (PAT) and the arch index. Materials and Methods: PAT was measured by ultrasound while foot anthropometric parameters were measured using the methods established by Huang et al. (2004) and Krishan (2007). Results: There was a significant meaningful correlation between PAT and arch index (r<0.05) and a significant negative correlation between PAT and Breadth at heel. There was no correlation between PAT and various aspects of length of the foot. Conclusion: This result infers that there is a direct structural and statistical relationship between the plantar fascia thickness and the foot arch index. This relationship can be very useful in the surgical release plantar fascia and management of plantar fasciitis.

Introduction: Estimation of stature is an important anthropometric tool which helps in the identification of an individual. The dimensions of the hand have been used for the determination of age, sex, and stature of an individual. Materials and Methods: The present study examines the relationship between stature and hand dimensions of a unique ethnic group in Nigeria, the Igbos. Stature (Y), Palm length (PL), hand breath (HB), first digit length (1 ^st DL), second digit length (2 ^nd DL), third digit length (3 ^rd DL), fourth digit lengths (4 ^th DL) and fifth digit length (5 ^th DL) of 211 subjects comprising 123 females and 88 males (age range 16-45 years) were measured after obtaining an informed consent. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS 17.0. Results: Sex differences were found to be highly significant (P < 0.0001) for all the measurements. Linear and multiple regression equations for stature estimation were constructed using the aforementioned variables and multiplication factors were computed. The highest correlation coefficient between stature and PL provides the highest reliability and accuracy in estimating stature of unknown gender, while that of 2 ^nd DL provides that of the males specifically. Conclusion: Prediction of stature was found to be most accurate by using linear regression in both gender put together as well as in the females while multiple regression was most accurate for estimate of stature in the males.

Introduction: Race, ethnicity, and pathologies are some of the factors noted to affect liver sizes. Despite several reports on liver sizes of children from different countries, normative data on liver dimensions of children remain scanty in our population. The objective of this study was to establish the normal values of the liver in healthy school children in south-east Nigeria and to correlate them with body indices. Materials and Methods : A cross-sectional prospective study of 1315 children between the ages of 5 and 17 years was conducted. Data on age, sex, and anthropometric measurements of body size indicators such as WT, HT, body surface area (BSA), and body mass index were obtained. Sonographic measurements of the liver were done with the subjects in a supine position. Length was measured after clear visualization in the midclavicular line for the right lobe and mid-sagittal plane for the left lobe, from the highest to the lowest points of the liver. The liver span was measured from the most inferior aspect of the liver on the right diagonally to the most lateral point. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 15.0. Results : Age and all the body size indices correlated positively and significantly with the liver dimensions (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). BSA correlated best with the liver dimensions. The dimension of the right liver length correlated best with body habitus, followed by liver span. Liver sizes in males were larger than those in females. A regression model for prediction of liver dimension was computed. Baseline data for liver sizes with upper and lower limits at 5 ^th and 95 ^th percentiles, respectively, were determined. Conclusion : The liver sizes in Nigerian children were noted to be similar to those reported for Brazilians in South America, but larger than the values reported in China, Thai, Turkey, and Arab countries.