International Journal of Anatomical Sciences 2014, 5(1): 34-41

Research Article

Tori in dry skulls of the Southern Indian population-anthropologic and clinical emphasis

Mohammad Raziyabanu, Muhammed Ibrahim, Deborah Joy Hepsibah T, Sivakumaran G, Sudagar M, Anbumani TL

Department of Anatomy, Karpaga vinayaga Institute of Medical sciences and Research centre (KIMS), Chinnakkolampakam, TamilNadu, India
Department of Anatomy,Dr. ALM PG IBMS, University of Madras, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India.
epartment of Anatomy,P.S.G Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre,Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India.

Key words :Torus mandibularis, Torus palatinus, Dry skull, South India

Abstract:Tori are benign bony exostoses with limited bone marrow. The prevalence of Torus palatinus (TP) and Torus mandibularis (TM) has been extensively studied in various ethnic populations to demonstrate racial differences. The aim of our study was to demonstrate the occurrence of TP and TM in South Indian dry skulls. For this purpose, hard palate and mandible of seventy eight articulated and disarticulated dry skulls were examined macroscopically. Further, the location, morphology and morphometry of tori were evaluated. A bilateral, symmetrical, elongated, multi-lobular form of TM and a large, bilateral, asymmetrical, right ridge and left lobular forms of TP were observed with prevalence of 1.28 % and 1.28 % respectively. TM was located at the lingual surface of mandible along the incisor, canine and premolar teeth. TP was located on either side of inter-palatine and inter-maxillary sutures of hard palate. The respective length, breadth and height of the right and left TP were found to be 20 mm, 10 mm & 10 mm; 22 mm, 21 mm & 15 mm. The present study signifies that the examination of tori in dry skulls might be advantageous over that in living subjects for the better evaluation of occurrence, morphology and morphometry of torus. The present study emphasizes the surgical removal of torus since it might cause serious unpredicted challenges during endo-tracheal intubation and fabrication of prosthesis. To the best of author’s knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the occurrence of tori in South Indian dry skulls