Tutorial 153 - Gender Comparisons of the Pelvis
Added 2016-06-10 04:16:37 +0000 UTCThe most notable difference between the male and female pelvis is the height and width. The female pelvis is wider and shorter (by an inch or so) than the male.
The pelvic inlet
The pelvic inlet (and outlet) is the gap in the middle of the pelvis. In females, it is larger and rounder to allow for childbirth.
The iliac crest
For women, the iliac crest tends to be a little smoother, more rounded and set a little lower than the male, which is usually pointier looking.
The sacrum
For women, the sacrum is more curved and angled in such a way to make the buttocks stick out more.
The iliac spine and pubic tubercle
In females, the front of the iliac spine (anterior superior iliac spin or ASIS) protrudes ahead of the pubic tubercle. The whole pelvis appears to lean forwards a little compared to the male. For men, the ASIS is either vertically aligned with the pubic tubercle or set back a little further.
The pubic arch
The angle of the female pubic arch is greater than the male and because the pubic arch is wider on a woman, we will often see a gap between the legs, even when the legs are closed. We don't usually see this on a man.
The acetabulum
The acetabulum is the socket of the hipbone, to which the femur fits. For women, the acetabulum faces more anteriorly (forwards), which is more lateral facing for men.
Effect on the legs
Because of the greater width of the pelvis and the angle of the acetabulum, the head of the femur is placed further out and angled medially for women. This means that men's legs swing backwards and forwards along a single plane. For women, the legs move forwards and slightly inwards. This gives the hips a swinging motion.
