![]() Research design: The study was cross-sectional. However, Darwin himself named it ‘woolnerian tip’ after Thomas Woolner, a British sculptor who depicted it in one of his sculptures and has first theorized that it was an atavistic feature. 18, 19 The Darwinian tubercle was first noted by Charles Darwin as an evidence of vestigial feature indicating common ancestry among primates. 18ĭarwinian tubercle is very evident about the sixth month of fetal life when the whole auricle has a close resemblance to that of the adult monkeys ( Figure 2). Darwinian tubercle is a congenital ear condition which often presents as a thickening in the helix at the junction of the upper and middle third. At the posterior superior aspect of the helix is a small tubercle known as the auricular tubercle (Darwin's tubercle). The curved rim of the auricle is known as the helix. ![]() 17The lateral surface of the auricle which is the exposed surface has several prominences and depressions giving it a unique shape. The auricle projects from the side of the skull at varying degrees so the cranial surface of the auricle might be hidden in some individuals. 16The auricle has two surfaces: A lateral or anterior surface and medial or posterior surface (cranial surface). Age may account for the findings linking heart attack to earlobe disease. However since earlobes become more creased with age, thus older people are more likely to experience heart disease than younger people. Creased earlobes are associated with an increased risk of heart attack and coronary heart diseases. The earlobes are normally smooth, but occasionally exhibit creases. The non-cartilagenous lobule is easily pierced for taking blood samples and inserting earrings. Aims of the studyįigure 1 (A) Non pendulous. Hence this study was carried out to investigate and have an indigenous database for these peculiarities in auricles. Statement of the problem: There is dearth of information on the prevalence of the Darwinian tubercle in the Nigerian indigenous populations. There exist research works by on auricular dimensions in several other populations. Significance of the study: A good knowledge of the differences in the auricles of males and females with increase in age will enable us have a better understanding of the variations as they exist in Nigerian indigenous populations. 1It can also be defined as the scientific study of the human body. Anthropometry in physical anthropology refers to the concise measurement of the human individual for the purposes of understanding human physical variations. Our knowledge of physical anthropology tells us some differing characters between Negroes of which Nigerians are inclusive and some other races ranging from the Caucasians, Mongloids, Australoids. ![]() Keywords: darwinian tubercle, pendulous, non-pendulous, auricle, igbo, yoruba Introduction The auricles are asymmetrical and continue to grow throughout life in both sexes.Ĭonclusion: Care should be taken in noting the ages and sex of the individuals before surgical practices is been carried out for each auricle. Prevalence of pendulous earlobe 132(66.0%) and non-pendulous earlobe was 68(34.0%). Darwinian tubercle in Igbos was 68(22.67%), Prevalence of pendulous earlobe was 157(52.33%) and non-pendulous earlobe 143(47.67%) while in Yorubas Darwinian tubercle was 48(24.0%). Results: The result showed generally, that the auricular length and earlobe lengths increased with an increase in age while the auricular width increased irrespective of the advancement in age. Digital vernier calliper was used to measure the different parameters in each individual with 95% confidence interval of the statistic. Materials and methods: These measurements were obtained from 182 females and 118 males from Igbo ethnic group and 95 females and 105 males of the Yoruba ethnic group between ages 18-68 years. Background: This study was done to determine the differences in mean auricular lengths, auricular widths and earlobe lengths of males and females with increase in age, prevalence of pendulous and non-pendulous earlobes and Darwinian tubercle in the Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups of the adult Nigerian population.
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