Correlations between Stature and Hand Breadth in Bangladeshi Medical Students

Introduction: From an anatomical view point human hand acts as both mechanical and sensorytool. It helps us in grasping objects, skilled movements and sensing any object by touching it. Theopposition of the thumb to the index finger and other digits is highly evolved in mankind.Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlations between stature and hand breadth inBangladeshi medical students.Methods: This was a descriptive study carried out in Department of Anatomy, Sylhet MAGOsmani Medical College, Sylhet, Bangladesh from July 2019 to June 2020. In the present study,anthropometric measurements were done in 240 adult Bangladeshi medical students. Directphysical measurements of the hand breadth were taken from both hands of all 240 subjects. Thestature was also measured physically. The mean values and the standard deviations were calculatedfor each variable.Results: The stature of male students aging 18-23 years age ranged from 151 cm to 176.2 cm.More than 76% of the respondents possessed stature between 155 cm to 170 cm. Besides, thestature of 120 female students ranged from 138 cm to 162 cm. More than 86% of the respondentshad stature between 145 cm to 160 cm. All the anthropometric measurements of male participantsshowed positive and statistically significant correlation with stature (p <0.05). All theanthropometric measurements of female participants showed positive and statistically significantcorrelation with stature (p <0.05).Conclusion: This study offers valuable insights into the correlation between stature and handbreadth among Bangladeshi medical students.