Male vs Female Pelvis
Skeleton is a very important part of the body as it basically provides the framework that supports the body and maintains its shape. The pelvis is a bony ring found in between vertebral column and lower limb in the body. Basically it supports the moveable vertebrae of the vertebral column, and it rests upon the lower limbs. The pelvis is composed of four bones; the two hip bones laterally and anteriorly and the sacrum and coccyx posteriorly. The functions of the pelvis are protecting the pelvic viscera, supporting the weight of the body, enabling the waling ability with the fixed hip joints, providing surfaces for attaching muscles, and providing bony support for the birth canal in females. Related bone structure is also found in birds and dinosaurs. The pelvis demonstrates many sex differences among mammals. In the fetus and for several years after birth, the pelvis of human is small in proportion to that of the adult. Before puberty, usually, both sexes have the general characteristics of a male pelvis. However, after puberty, the pelvis acquires certain sexual characteristics peculiar to it in adult life.
Male Pelvis
The male pelvis is stronger and made of better defined muscle marking. Hence stronger muscles in males are attached to its markings. The male pelvis is altogether more massive, and it has more deep and narrow cavities.
Female Pelvis
Females have less massive, lighter and more expanded pelvic bones. The muscular impressions are only slightly marked on bones. The female pelvis is designed for the function of child birth, so that the pelvic cavity is shallow and it has sufficient space to carry a baby. The outlet of the females’ pelvis is also wider than that of males to facilitate vaginal birth. This bone also acts as a protective structure for the female reproductive system including uterus and ovaries and also for the bladder and rectum.
During the course of pregnancy, certain alterations in the composition of the pelvis, its shape and the plane of inclination are being taken place. All of these changes occur in order to support the uterus throughout the period of pregnancy and assist with the normal mechanism in childbirth.
What is the difference between Male and Female Pelvis?
• Males have heart-shaped pelvis inlet and v-shaped pubic arch, while females have oval shaped pelvic inlet and wider pubic arch.
• The bones of male pelvis are heavier, thicker and stronger while the bones of female pelvis are lighter and less dense.
• Female pelvis has a shallow pelvic cavity, and it is wider than male pelvis.
• Obturator foramen of male pelvis is round while, in females, it is oval.
• Subpubic arch of male pelvis is more acute while that of female pelvis is wider.
• Acetabulum of male pelvis is larger while that of female pelvis is smaller.
• Ischial spine of male pelvis is projected inward while that of female pelvis is projected outward.
• The anterior iliac spines of female pelvis are widely separated, thus giving the females the greater prominence of the hips.
• Due to the more delicate bones of the female pelvis, the muscle attachments are poorly marked than those of the male pelvis.
• The female pelvis is less massive than the male pelvis. The male pelvis has more deep and narrow cavities than those of the female pelvis.
• Unlike females, male reproductive organs like testicles are not protected by pelvis, as they lie outside the pelvis. But owing to this position, the scrotum provides the optimum temperature for sperm production.