75 Biomedical ScienceS iSSn 2413-6077. iJmmR 2019 Vol. 5 issue 1 doi 10.11603/iJmmR.2413-6077.2019.1.9897 ANTHROPOMETRY OF THE EXTERNAL EAR AMONG ADULT IJAwS IN BAYELSA STATE OF NIGERIA E.I. Edibamode 1 , K. Mordi 1 , L.K. David 1 , A.M. Eghoi 2 * 1 – UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT, PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA 2 – ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY, UTURU, NIGERIA Background. External ear measurement is of utmost importance in reconstructive surgeries. Objectives. The present study is aimed at ascertaining sexual dimorphism in external ear anthropometry and ear lobe attachments among adults Ijaws in Bayelsa, Nigeria. Methods. A total of 112 adults within the age range of 18-50 yrs, who met the inclusion criteria, were involved in the study. Four linear dimensions of the ear, which are ear length (EL), ear width (EW), lobular length (LL) and lobular width (LW), were measured for both genders. The lobular attachment for both ears for males and females were also examined and results recorded. These data were subjected to Student t-test, Chi-square test, and Pearson’s correlation using SPSS version 20.0. Results. The mean values for EL, EW, LL, and LW for the left auricle in the males and females were 58.14±0.60, 27.41±0.37, 14.47±0.27, 13.50±0.34 and 57.90±0.16, 27.45±0.65, 15.41±0.31, 13.43±0.38 respectively. However, for the right auricle in the males and females, the values were 58.40±0.45, 28.21±0.68, 14.32±0.31, 13.04±0.32, and 56.66±1.10, 27.51±0.65, 15.58±0.29, 13.28±0.34 respectively. The left and right lobular length were the only parameters that proved statistical signifcance (p<0.05) in females compare to males. Pearson’s correlations between right and left sides for each of the parameters were positive and signifcant. Chi-square analysis revealed no signifcant relationship (p>0.05) between earlobe attachments and gender. Conclusions. Sexual dimorphism was thus established in the Ijaw population as regards lobular length dimensions. It is believed that the results of this study would be very useful for ear morphology and reconstructive surgeries. KEY WORDS external ear (auricle) Bayelsa Ijaws anthropometry sexual dimorphism lobular attachment. Corresponding author: Azibaediya M. Eghoi, M.Sc.,Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria e-mail azibsmil32@yahoo.com Introduction Anthropometry refers to the branch of anthropology concerned with comparative measurements of the human body for the purpose of understanding of physical variations in humans [1]. These body measurements have been shown to vary according to sex, age and race, thus the study of these physical variations is of utmost importance in plastic surgery, prosthetics, clothing designs, and ergonomics [2-3]. It is also important for development of personal individuality [2]. The human external ear is an important organ contributing to the esthetics of human face. Its size, shape, position, and projection infuence the facial appearance of the individual [4]. It consists of external, middle and internal parts. The external ear is made up of a shell-like auricle (pinna), which collects sound, and the external acoustic meatus, which conducts sound from the pinna to the tympanic membrane [5]. The auricle, helical in shape, is made up of an elastic cartilage covered by skin and has several depressions and elevations. The lobule (earlobe) of the auricle is a tag of skin containing fibrofatty tissue and blood vessels and is easily pierced for taking blood samples and inserting earrings [5,6]. It is the last part of the auricle to develop [7]. Earlobe attachments were mainly classified into attached and free (unattached) earlobes [8-12]. Many authors, however, have pointed out that there are many people with intermediate (or tapering) earlobes [13-14]. Individuals having earlobes that hang freely are known to have free (unattached) earlobes, whereas those having earlobes fused with the sides of proximal head are termed as attached (or adherent) earlobes [15-16]. Several anthropometric studies on ear measurements have been carried out on different populations. According to the studies International Journal of Medicine and Medical Research 2019, Volume 5, Issue 1, p. 75-83 copyright © 2019, TNMU, All Rights Reserved e.i. edibamode et al.