Anthropometry of thyromental distance of adult Ibibios and Annangs in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The thyromental distance (TMD) is defined as the distance from the thyroid notch to mental prominence with the head fully extended. The objective of this study was to investigate thyromental distance among adults of Ibibio and Annang Ethnic groups of southern Nigeria. A total of 600 volunteers consisting of 313 (52.2%) males and 287 (47.8%) females, aged between 21-50 years were measured. Annang males and females had higher thyromental distance of (7.27 ± 0.06 cm; 6.91±0.05 cm) compared to the Ibibio males and females (7.13±0.06cm; 6.82±0.05 cm), respectively. The mean thyromental distance of the Annang subjects was significantly higher at p˂ 0.03 than that of the Ibibio adults. In most cases the highest mean thyromental distance was recorded within the 31-40 years age range.