Objectives In this study, the sizes and forms of mandibles in various age groups of the Malay population were measured and compared. Methods Geometric morphometric (GM) analysis of mandibles from 400 dental panoramic tomography (DPT) specimens was conducted. The MorphoJ program was used to perform generalized Procrustes analysis (GPA), Procrustes ANOVA, principal component analysis (PCA), discriminant function analysis (DFA), and canonical variate analysis (CVA). In the tpsDig2 program, the 27 landmarks were applied to the DPT radiographs. Variations in mandibular size and form were categorized into four age groups: group 1 (15–24 years), group 2 (25–34 years), group 3 (35–44 years), and group 4 (45–54 years). Results The diversity in mandibular shape among the first eight principal components was 81%. Procrustes ANOVA revealed significant shape differences (P < 0.001) among age groups. Mahalanobis distances indicated substantial differences among all age groups; group 1 and group 4 scored highest, at 2.114. The ranges for the cross-validation and discriminant function tests were 90–72% and 81–49%, respectively. Conclusion GM analysis through radiography is a simple, non-invasive, and non-destructive method of estimating age by using the mandible. GM analysis is unique because it can visualize the changes in mandible shape among age groups. This method should aid in age identification in forensic odontology investigations.

Sex estimation is one of the primary aspects in determining the biological characteristics of an unknown adult skeleton. The variations between male and female skeletons can be attributed to a complex interplay of genetics, hormonal factors, culture, and environment. However, skeletal remains frequently found are often incomplete, with most sexually dimorphic bone like the pelvis and skull potentially absent. Hence, it is essential to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of multiple skeletal elements to attain a high degree of precision in sex estimation within forensic anthropology context. Ribs have been utilized in forensic anthropology for sex estimation since the 1980s, a comprehensive review of their sexual dimorphism is yet to be conducted. In this study, we examined various anthropological methods applied to ribs for sex estimation. Method: A systematic search was performed using PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar from 2000 to 2020, retrieving a total of 10 articles that met the inclusive criteria. The search followed the main points outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: This systematic review provides a comprehensive summary of the analytical approaches employed to estimate sex using human ribs. Conclusion: The findings revealed that different part of human ribs can be reliably used for sex estimation via metric method.

Geometric morphometrics is a new approach for shape identification in diagnosis of malocclusion. Lateral cephalogram is an X-ray that taken for diagnosing malocclusion in dental setting. The aim of this study was to determine the differences of craniofacial shape in malocclusion by application of two-dimensional geometric morphometrics and to compile the database of malocclusion in adult Malaysian population. Lateral cephalogram radiographs of 381 adults Malaysia (age 18-45) were retrieved retrospectively and assigned to three groups according to their occlusion: class I, class II, and class III. The geometric morphometric shape study incorporated nine landmarks and was analyzed in details using tpsUtil p software. Geometric morphometric analysis such was done using MorphoJ software. The results of the principal component's analysis (PCA) yielded 14 main components responsible for 100% of the variation exhibited by the malocclusion with three highly significant PCA. The highest Mahalanobis distances were exhibited by the malocclusion class II and III population. The Procrustes ANOVA showed that the shape effect was highly significant (P<0.01). The discriminant function analysis showed the high percentage of 80% discriminate among the malocclusions after cross-validation. There are significant differences for ANB angle (A point-Nasion-B point) in all malocclusion groups. Class II has the widest ANB angle while class III has the most acute ANB angle. Skeletal shape was clearly associated with dental malocclusion and showed considerable variation. Geometric morphometrics is an alternative research tool and can be used for diagnosing individual classification of malocclusion.

Sex determination is the crucial stage for developing a biological profile during the investigation of skeletal remains. An accurate determination of the sex of the unknown person is crucial by only a few bones or when multiple bones are missing or fractured. Thus, exploration of less commonly used bones like thoracic vertebrae is also required for the personal identification of an unknown individual.

Anatomy assessments are crucial for developing critical thinking and analytical skills in preclinical undergraduate medical curricula. However, because there is little published empirical evidence, the value of anatomy assessment remains largely unexplored. The aim of this scoping review, conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review guidelines, was to explore the utility elements adopted in anatomy assessment within preclinical undergraduate medical curricula. A rigorous three-step search approach across five electronic databases (Scopus, WoS, PubMED, Wiley Online, and EBSCOHost) generated an initial pool of 721 records, which were assessed for duplication and eligibility, leading to the inclusion of 43 records from which data were extracted. The extracted data covered various utility elements of anatomy assessment including validity, reliability, practicality, feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and educational impact, along with various assessment contexts such as assessed competencies, assessment function, and assessment tools. The findings indicate a strong emphasis on assessing cognitive competencies in anatomy education; psychomotor and affective competencies received less attention. Identified gaps include limited exploration of validity evidence, assessment methods, cost-effectiveness, and educational impact of assessment. Moreover, the study highlights challenges in implementing formative assessments alongside summative assessments, constraints in assessing psychomotor skills, and the subjective nature of assessing affective competencies. By addressing these gaps and leveraging innovative assessment tools and practices, educators can enhance the quality of anatomy education and prepare students better for their future careers in medicine.

Anatomy has been taught predominantly in the preclinical years. However, little guidance exists for medical educators in designing appropriate assessments of anatomy knowledge. In general, medical schools implement and determine their own curricula and methods of assessment. The purpose of this scoping review is to examine the breadth of literature regarding the utility of anatomy assessments, which will be reported whether they have been investigated in terms of validity, reliability, practicality, feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and educational impact in the included resources. This scoping review will be conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review guideline, and its protocol is outlined to systematically map the utility of anatomy assessments in preclinical undergraduate medical curricula over the past 20 years. Primary data will be searched from relevant studies, review articles, and grey literature sources between 2002 and 2023. The resource searching will be performed using the three-step search strategy, namely review search, study selection, and evidence charting, which will involve four electronic databases and two independent reviewers. As secondary research, this review does not require ethical approval. The review will not only permit better comparisons of anatomy assessment and foster meaningful evaluation of both medical students and teaching establishments to take place in the anticipation of ensuring the constructive alignment in anatomy education but also produce important information on the quality of anatomy assessment in the context of the undergraduate medical curriculum. The findings will be disseminated through journals and conferences targeting anatomy educators worldwide.