Anatomically, physically, functionally, there are many significant differences in the structures of the male and female skeleton. To a distant both the skeleton looks the same but focusing on the minute details and features the difference can easily be obtained. One such structure is the pelvis or pelvic girdle of the male and female bodies. The structure differs in function, shape, and size for both sexes.
Male Pelvis vs Female Pelvis
The main difference between Male Pelvis and Female Pelvis is that the size of the pelvis of the male is shorter and narrower along with the heavy and thick bones, while comparatively, the size of the pelvis of the female is larger and wider along with the dense and light bones. Also, the male pelvis inlet is heart-shaped, while the female pelvic inlet or brim is in a slight oval shape.
Male Pelvis is the base of the spine and the socket of the hip joint. It comprises three different bones – the hip bones, sacrum, and coccyx. The male pelvic bone is smaller and narrower. The pubic arch of the male is V-shaped. Also, the pelvic inlet is heart-shaped. The purpose of the pelvic body is to support the heavy body and the strong muscles of the men.
The female Pelvis is also the base of the spine and the hip joint socket. The size of the pelvis, if compared to that of the male pelvis, is larger and wider. The pelvic arch of the female pelvis is wider, and also the pelvic inlet of the female is slightly oval. The purpose of the female pelvic is to support the child while in pregnancy.
Comparison Table Between Male Pelvis and Female Pelvis
| Parameters of Comparison | Male Pelvis | Female Pelvis |
| Size | Short and narrow with heavy and thick bones | Large and wide with light and dense bones |
| Sacrum | Long and narrow | Wide and shorter, less curved |
| Pelvic Inlet | Heart-shaped | Slight oval shaped |
| Acetabulum | Larger | Smaller |
| Pubic Arch | V-shaped | Wider |
| Pelvic Outlet | Narrower | Wider |
| Pelvic Bone | Heavy, tall, and much thick | Thinner and Denser |
| Obturator Foramen | Round | Oval |
| Purpose | Supports the heavy body and muscles of the men | Supports childbearing and the easier child delivery |
| Sciatic Notch | Narrower | Wider |
| Coccyx | It is projected inwards (less curved anterior) and immovable. | Flexible and straight |
What is Male Pelvis?
The male pelvis is considered the base of the spine and the hip point socket. The shape of the male pelvis is short and narrow. The bone of the pelvis is heavy and thick, and it is present to provide support to the heavy body built of the men and their heavy muscles. The pelvis bone is divided into three other bones – the two hip bones, the sacrum, and the coccyx.
The sacrum bone of the pelvis is long, narrower, and straight in size. The pelvic inlet or brim of the males is heart-shaped, and the pubic arch of the pelvis is V-shaped, and the angle between is less than about 90°. The pelvic outlet and the sciatic notch are narrower. The location of the coccyx is projected inwards and less curved from the anterior side and is also immovable.
What is Female Pelvis?
The female pelvis is also the base of the spine and the hip point socket. The shape of the female pelvis is large and wide or broader. The bone of the pelvis is light in weight and is denser, and is present to solve the purpose of holding a child during the pregnancy and also the safe delivery of the child.
The bone of the pelvis is divided into three other bones that are the two hip bones, the sacrum, and the coccyx. The sacrum bone of the females is wide and short and is less curved. The pelvic inlet or brim of the female is slightly oval in shape, and the pubic arch of the pelvis is wider and is greater than 90°. The pelvic outlet and the sciatic notch are wider.
Main Differences Between Male Pelvis and Female Pelvis
- The size of the male pelvis is shorter, narrower and the bone of the pelvis is heavy and thick, while on the other hand, the size of the female pelvis is larger, wider and the bone of the pelvis is lighter and denser.
- The sacrum bone present in the male pelvis is longer and narrower, while on the other hand, the sacrum bone of the female pelvis is wider, shorter, and is less curved.
- The pelvic inlet of the male pelvis is in the heart shape, while on the other hand, the pelvic inlet of the female pelvis is in a slight oval shape.
- The acetabulum of the male pelvis is larger compared to that of the female pelvis, which is smaller.
- The pubic arch of the male pelvis is in V-shape, while on the other hand, the pubic arch of the female pelvis is wider in shape.
- The pelvic outlet of the male pelvis is narrower in shape as compared to that of the pelvic outlet of the female pelvis is narrower.
- The male pelvic bone is heavy, tall, and is much thicker, while compared to that of the female pelvic bone is quite thin and denser.
- The bone called obturator foramen in the male pelvis is round-shaped, while compared, on the other hand, the obturator foramen present in the female pelvis is oval.
- The main purpose of the pelvic bone present in the male body is to support the heavy body and muscles, while compared, on the other hand, the purpose of the presence of the female pelvis is to support the child during pregnancy and easy delivery.
- The sciatic notch of the male pelvis is narrower, while on the other hand, the sciatic notch of the female pelvis is wider.
- The location of the coccyx in the male pelvis is projected inwards (that is less curved anteriorly) and is immovable, while comparatively, on the other hand, the coccyx of the female pelvis is flexible and is straight.
Conclusion
The pelvis is the lower part of the human body which is situated between the abdomen and the thighs. For both the different sexes, the shape, size, function, or purpose is different. The pelvis bone is located at the base of the spine, and it supports the legs. The pelvis bone comprises three bones – the hip bone, sacrum, and coccyx.
The male pelvis is present for providing support to the heavy muscle and bones of the men, while on the other hand, the female pelvis is present for the bearing of the child during pregnancy and the easy delivery of the child. The pelvis of the male is short and narrow, while compared to that of the female pelvis, it is large and wide.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002937833901945
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1252596/
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/251228
- https://www.pnas.org/content/113/19/5227.short