IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 17, Issue 4 Ver. 10 (April. 2018), PP 37-42 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0853-1704103742 www.iosrjournals.org 37 | Page Study of Morphometric Analysis of Scapula and Scapular Indices in Tamil Nadu Population.[Original Article] Dr.K.Rajeswari 1 , Dr.P.Ramalingam 2 1 M.B.B.S.; M.S.; Associate Professor; Dept.of Anatomy; Government Medical College and ESIC Hospital, Coimbatore; India 2 M.B.B.S; M.S; Associate Professor, Dept of Surgery, Karpagam Faculty of Medical Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, India Corresponding Author:*. Dr.K.Rajeswari 1 Abstract: The scapula is a large , flat triangular bone which lies on the posterolateral aspect of the chest. From the evolutionary point of view, scapula has undergone modifications especially in its shape. Scapular index has been used to note such modifications. This study was done on 100 dry unpaired adult human scapulae of unknown sex in the Coimbatore Medical College and Government Medical College and ESIC Hospital, Coimbatore. In the present study scapular measurements like length , breadth, infraspinous length and projection length of the scapular spine were taken and parameters like scapular index and infraspinous index were calculated . This indices may help in the comparative anatomy and defining the race. Key words-scapular index; infrascapular index , projection length --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 02-04-2018 Date of acceptance: 17-04-2018 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction The scapula is a large , flat triangular bone which lies on the posterolateral aspect of the chest.[1].Scapula , the large triangular flat bone links the axial skeleton to the appendicular skeleton of the upper limb along with clavicle. It shows modifications in its shape in the evolutionary process from quadrupeds to bipeds. Scapular index which indicates the relationship of breadth to the length of the bone has been used to note such modifications[2]. This index is extremely high in the pronograde, where the scapula is long and narrow , but due to its increasing breadth, it progressively falls as we approach the orthograde, such as man, in which the forelimb has been completely freed. It will be noticed that changes in shape are almost exclusively confined to that portion of the scapula which lies below its spine. These changes are demonstrated by the infraspinous index which, therefore, progressively rises. The supraspinous portion of the scapula is altered little. The form of the scapula in man and a considerable series of mammals has been called attention to, and the principal differences in the shape of the bone formulated by establishing an index or numerical expression of proportion between its chief diameters-the length and the breadth of scapula. The exact dimensions of the scapula and its geometry , however , are of fundamental importance in the pathomechanics of rotator cuff disease, total shoulder arthroplasty and recurrent shoulder dislocation. Determination of sex using scapular measurements is very useful in medicolegal cases, natural disasters and in circumstances where other bones are fragmented or not available. Scapular measurements can be used for comparative anatomy, for surgical procedures and for manufacturing prosthesis. The dimensions of scapula are important in case of rotator cuff diseases, shoulder arthroplasty and in recurrent shoulder dislocation. Scapular indices is also useful to compare racial differences. For these reasons we had made an attempt to analyse the morphometry of scapula in south Indian population particularly among Tamilians. II. Aims And Objectives The aim of the present study is [i] to measure the anthrometric measurements of the scapula. [ii]to calculate the scapular index and the infraspinous index. [iii] to help the orthopedicians and prosthesists in better understanding of the shoulder pathology and in designing and fitting of glenoid components for total shoulder arthroplasty and also the anthropologists when studying about the evolution of the bipedal gait.