Estimation of Stature from the Vertebral Column in American Blacks

Linear regression analysis was applied to data from 100 male and 100 female skeletons of American blacks from the Terry Anatomical Collection. To develop regression formulas for the estimation of stature using the vertebral column and portions thereof, the vertebral column was divided into contiguous sections containing from 1 to 23 vertebrae (C2 through L5). These bone-groups produced correlation coefficients ranging from 0.18 to 0.64, and the resulting regression formulas had standard errors ranging from 53.09 to 68.33 mm. The study shows that the vertebral column can be an aid in the estimation of stature, but the estimations are not as accurate as those made from the lengths of the long bones. Comparisons were made between the vertebral column proportions found in this study and those found by Fully and Pineau using white European males. Consideration was also given to the proper method for estimating stature when the vertebral column contains less than or more than the normal number of vertebrae.