Abstract: Objective To establish the linear regression equation between body height and combined length of manubrium and mesosternum of sternum measured by CT volume rendering technique （CT-VRT） in southwest Han population. Methods One hundred and sixty subjects, including 80 males and 80 females were selected from southwest Han population for routine CT-VRT （reconstruction thickness 1 mm） examination. The lengths of both manubrium and mesosternum were recorded, and the combined length of manubrium and mesosternum was equal to the algebraic sum of them. The sex-specific linear regression equations between the combined length of manubrium and mesosternum and the real body height of each subject were deduced. Results The sex-specific simple linear regression equations between the combined length of manubrium and mesosternum （x3） and body height （y） were established （male： y=135.000+2.118 x3 and female： y=120.790+2.808 x3）. Both equations showed statistical significance （P<0.05） with a 100% predictive accuracy. Conclusion CT-VRT is an effective method for measurement of the index of sternum. The combined length of manubrium and mesosternum from CT-VRT can be used for body height estimation in southwest Han population.

Key words: forensic anthropology, sternum, body height, CT volume rendering technique