Year: 2026 | Month: September | Volume: 16 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 312-319
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260934
Ultrasonographic Assessment of Thyroid Morphometry with Emphasis on Sexual Dimorphism in Kashmiri Population
Asma Zahoor1, Ghulam Mohammad Bhat2, Naseer Ahmad Khan3
1Resident, 2Professor, Postgraduate Department of Anatomy, 3Associate Professor,
Department of Radiodiagnosis, Government Medical College Srinagar
Corresponding Author: Dr Asma Zahoor
ABSTRACT
Background: The thyroid gland is a vital endocrine organ regulating metabolism, growth, and development. Ultrasonographic assessment of thyroid morphometry provides important insights into gland size and structure, helping distinguish physiological variation from pathological enlargement. Sex-based differences and population-specific reference values are important for accurate evaluation. This study aimed to assess the ultrasonographic dimensions and volumes of the thyroid lobes and isthmus in a healthy Kashmiri adult population and evaluate sex-based differences.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 healthy adults (150 males, 150 females) at the Post Graduate Department of Radiodiagnosis in collaboration with the Post Graduate Department of Anatomy, GMC Srinagar. Length, width, and depth of both thyroid lobes and the isthmus were measured using high-resolution ultrasonography. Volumes were calculated using the ellipsoid formula (Length × Width × Depth × 0.524). Sex-based differences were analyzed statistically, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: Males exhibited consistently larger thyroid dimensions and volumes compared to females. The mean right lobe measured 5.2 ± 0.5 cm in length, 1.8 ± 0.3 cm in width, and 2.0 ± 0.2 cm in depth in males, versus 4.8 ± 0.4 cm, 1.6 ± 0.3 cm, and 1.8 ± 0.2 cm in females. The left lobe in males measured 5.0 ± 0.5 cm × 1.7 ± 0.2 cm × 1.9 ± 0.2 cm, compared to 4.6 ± 0.4 cm × 1.5 ± 0.2 cm × 1.7 ± 0.2 cm in females. The isthmus length and thickness were 1.4 ± 0.3 cm and 0.40 ± 0.07 cm in males, versus 1.3 ± 0.2 cm and 0.35 ± 0.06 cm in females. Calculated volumes of the right lobe (9.3 ± 1.5 mL vs 7.6 ± 1.2 mL), left lobe (8.5 ± 1.3 mL vs 6.7 ± 1.0 mL), and total thyroid (17.8 ± 2.5 mL vs 14.3 ± 2.0 mL) were all significantly higher in males than females (p ≤ 0.003), reflecting clear sexual dimorphism.
Conclusion: Thyroid dimensions and volumes are significantly larger in males, reflecting clear sexual dimorphism. These findings provide population-specific ultrasonographic reference values for the Kashmiri adult population, useful for clinical and diagnostic evaluation.
Key words: Thyroid gland, Ultrasonography, Thyroid volume, Thyroid morphometry, Sexual dimorphism,