Original article / research
Morphological Variations of the Coronoid Process of Dry Adult Human Mandibles: A Cross-sectional Study from the Vadodara Region of Gujarat, India
AC05-AC10
Correspondence
Dr. Jahnavi Nath,
House No. 37-B, Prime Vatika Society, Opposite Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Piparia, Waghodiya, Vadodara-391760, Gujarat, India.
E-mail: drjahnavinath@gmail.com
Introduction: The mandible bears two superior projections from its ramus- the coronoid and condylar processes. The coronoid process gives insertion to the temporalis muscle and shows considerable morphological diversity. Knowledge of its shape and morphometry is important for maxillofacial surgeons, radiologists, anthropologists and forensic experts, particularly as the process serves as a donor site for autogenous bone grafts in orbital floor reconstruction, alveolar defect repair and sinus augmentation.
Aim: To study the morphological variations of the coronoid process in dry adult human mandibles of the Vadodara region of Gujarat, India, with morphometric measurements and gender-wise comparison.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Anatomy, Smt. BK Shah Medical Institute and Research Centre, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Piparia, Vadodara, Gujarat, India, over a period of six months, from October 2025 to March 2026. Thirty dry adult human mandibles (60 sides; 16 male, 14 female by non metric sexing) were examined. Coronoid shape was classified as triangular, hook-shaped or rounded. The base (AB), anterior arm (AC), posterior arm (BC) and height (CD), together with the inter-coronoid distance, were measured bilaterally using Vernier callipers. Data were analysed with the unpaired Student’s t-test or Mann-Whitney U test; Chi-square was used for shape-gender association. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The triangular variant was the most common (32/60 sides, 53.33%), followed by hook-shaped (17 sides, 28.33%) and rounded (11 sides, 18.33%). The mean inter-coronoid distance was greater in males (85.93±3.92 mm) than in females (79.26±4.96 mm; p=0.0005). Male mandibles showed higher means for all linear parameters on both sides, reaching statistical significance for the right base (31.80±1.91 vs 29.49±2.36 mm; p=0.003), left base (32.00±2.37 vs 29.09±1.41 mm; p<0.001) and left posterior arm (p=0.037). A significant gender-shape association was observed (χ2=8.98, p=0.011), with hook-shaped predominant in males (43.8%) and triangular in females (71.4%).
Conclusion: The coronoid process in the Vadodara region exhibits significant morphological diversity and sexual dimorphism, with the triangular shape predominating overall. Gender-related differences in shape and base dimensions may assist maxillofacial surgeons in graft harvesting and forensic experts in sex determination.