Asymmetry of the mandibular condyle in Haida Indians

• Published in: American Journal of Physical Anthropology
• Main Author: Costa, Raymond L.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1986
• Subjects: haida
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330700116; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fajpa.1330700116; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ajpa.1330700116

Abstract The condyles of 72 aged and sexed Haida Indians were measured for anteroposterior and mediolateral diameter and their approximate areas calculated. Dental wear was assessed for the same individuals. Asymmetry of condyle size did not appear to change with age. In a pair‐wise analysis, no relationship was found between the largest of a pair of condyles and the most worn side of the dentition. The difference in size between each pair of condyles (normalized for individual size) was plotted as a histogram and found to have a normal distribution with a mean of 0 and no skewness. Condyle asymmetry does not appear to be related to differential chewing forces but more closely fits the model of fluctuating asymmetry.