MORPHOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE EXTERNAL EAR AMONG THE DAGAABAS IN THE UPPER WEST REGION OF GHANA

The shape and dimensions of the external ear convey information about the sex, age and ethnicity of the bearer. In developing countries such as Ghana, the potential inherent in ear morphometric indices for personal identification has not been explored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to provide baseline data on auricular dimensions and sex related differences among the Dagaabas in the Upper West Region of Ghana. A total of 263 individuals comprising 116 males and 147 females between the ages of 15-75 years and are permanent Dagaaba residents in Kaleo and Loho communities in the Nadowli-Kaleo District of the Upper West Region of Ghana were recruited for the study. The height and four bilateral linear auricular dimensions were measured using a sliding digital caliper: Ear height, ear width, lobular height and lobular width. The results of this study showed bilateral asymmetry between the right and left ears in both sexes. With the exception of right ear height, all measurements in the left ear were larger than the right. Apart from the lobular indices, all linear auricular measurements showed significant sexual dimorphism with males recording higher values than females.