The Acromial Morphology of Thais in Relation to Gender and Age: Study in Scapular Dried Bone
Arraya Sangiampong MS*, Supin Chompoopong MS, PhD*, Sanjai Sangvichien MD, PhD*, Penake Thongtong MD*, Suwarat Wongjittraporn MD*
Affiliation : *Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
Objective : The objective of the present study was to determine the acromial shape and examine if there is a
correlation between the acromial morphology and genders, ages and sides.
Materials and Methods : The present examined 154 dried Thai scapulas (107 males and 47 females) with age
range from 16 to 87 years (mean = 49 + 17 years). The acromial morphology of each scapula was studied by
the computerized image analysis of digitized photography through the supraspinatous outlet view, with the
distance (M) measured from its anterior to posterior end, the height (H) of the resultant curve and the distance
(N) from the anterior end to the point perpendicular to the height. The acromial types were defined as type I
(flat), II (curved) and III (hooked) with the criteria that N is more than or equal to the 2/3, 1/3 and less than
1/3 of M, respectively.
Results : The incidences of types I, II and III were 3.2%, 93.5% and 3.2%, respectively. It was found in both
sexes, female (93.6%) and male (93.5%) and in both sides, left (96%) and right (91.1%). With respect to the
age range, type II were found in 100% of subjects of less than 30 years, 4.5% in those between 30-60 years,
were 4.5% (I), 93.2% (II), 2.3% (III).Those more than 60 years old were 2.3%(I), 90.7% (II) and 7.0% (III). The
spur formation on the anterior end of the acromion was found in 14.9% of scapulas, curved type mostly; and
it was associated with hooked type in only one scapula.
Conclusion : There was no significant type difference between sex, side and age range (p > 0.05). The spurs
found are not related to acromial morphology and old age.
Keywords : Acromion, Acromial process, Aacromial morphology, Scapula
