The contributions of Basic Anthropology

in Medical Science

Dra. Neni Trilusiana R, MKes.

Laboratory of Anatomy and Anthropology
School of Medicine, Gadjah Mada University
Yogyakarta
2003

Physical Anthropology
The scientific study of man's biology
It concentrates on the observation of physical variations (within
and between human population)
Why study the human variation?

Man - is a complex biological system affecting

and affected by the total environment in
which he lives
- has acquired the ability to alter both his environment and
himself
This ability will be influenced by how well man understands his
own biogenetic system in relationship to his environment

Concerned to a large extent with the study and understanding of human

variability, and morphological variation

Studies of morphological variation, by their very nature have a comparative

focus in which variation within and among populations is the central theme.

Body proportions vary among racial or ethnic groups (exp.comparison -blacks and whites)

Most variation in human morphology relates to the development of bone,

muscle, and fat tissues, as well as the viscera.

The methods of measurement most commonly used in physical anthropology

anthropometry and anthroposcopy

ANTHROPOMETRY
- Measurement of human body parts (living or dead)
- The technique of expressing quantitatively the form of the
body
- Conveniently subdivided as follows :
1. Somatometry the body morphology
2. Cephalometry the head and face
3. Osteometry the skeleton and its parts
4. Craniometry the skull

The measurements :
- focus on bone, muscle, and fat
- consider regional variation in morphology:
trunk and extremity (upper and lower)
dimensions
- selected on the basis of ease of site location and
accessibility

The sites for measurements:

1. Overall body size (weight and stature)
2. Specific segment length ( sitting height), stature minus sitting height > estimate leg
length
3. Skeletal breadths ( skeletal robusticity) extremity (biepicondylar breadth of the
humerus & the femur) and trunk (biacromial breadth & bicristal breadth)
4. Limb circumferences (muscularity) circumference (mid arm, medial calf)
5. Skin fold thicknesses (subcutaneous fatness) extremity (triceps and medial calf) and
trunk (subscapular, suprailiac)

The following instruments are those most commonly

used in somatometric as well as in osteometric
studies:
- weight beam scale
- measuring tape
- camera
- anthropometer
- spreading and sliding caliper
- skinfold caliper

The following previous recommendations should be noted:

1. All instruments: clean and their precision should be verified

2. In measuring for stature and weight the subject should be nude, In paired
measurements -- the left side. Some times bilateral measurements are recommended
3. When the sliding or spreading calipers are used, do not pressure of the points on the
skin
4. Most measurements : Standard Erect Position, except for sitting height and the head
(sitting position)
5. All measurements : same unit (mm), except for mass (kg)

ANTHROPOSCOPY
- The visual observation and description of physical traits which
do not easily lend themselves to exact measurement.
- For exp. : form and character and distribution of the hair, skin
color, eye color, eye folds, form of lip, of nose, and
the like.
- In making visual observations on the subject, the investigator
must strive to attain the greatest precision, to eliminate the
element of subjective judgment, and to obtain as objective
a record possible
- All observations should be made in good light

Summary :

The variety of measurements that are useful in describing

man in his individual and group variations

Anthropometric data, particularly for children and youth, are

useful for monitoring social and economic circumstances in
society.

Body measurements have multiple uses in many disciplines,

including pediatrics, orthopedics, dentistry, sport medicine,
nutrition, etc.

References:
1. Comas J. 1960 Manual of physical anthropology,
Springfield: Charles C Thomas Publisher.
2. Lohman TG, Roche AF, Martorell R. 1988
Anthropometric standardization reference manual,
Champaign: Human Kinetics Books.
3. Montagu AMF. 1960 A handbook of anthropometry
Springfield: Charles C Thomas Publisher.
4. Norton K. 1996 Anthropometrica, Sydney: University of New South wales Press.