Anatomically, physically, and functionally, there are many significant differences in the structures of the male and female skeleton. To a distance, 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.
Key Takeaways
- The male pelvis is larger and heavier, with a narrower pelvic inlet and deeper pelvic cavity. The female pelvis is wider and shallower, with a larger pelvic inlet to accommodate childbirth.
- The male pubic arch is less than 90 degrees, while the female pubic arch is greater than 90 degrees.
- The male coccyx curves inward, while the female coccyx curves outward to make childbirth easier.
Male Pelvis vs Female Pelvis
The 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 a slightly 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 men’s heavy body and strong muscles.
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 the female’s pelvic inlet is slightly oval. The purpose of the female pelvis is to support the child while in pregnancy.
Comparison Table
| 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, 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 coccyx’s location is projected inwards, less curved from the anterior side, and 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 denser and is present to solve the purpose of holding a child during pregnancy and 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 and narrower, and the bone of the pelvis is heavy and thick, while on the other hand, the size of the female pelvis is larger and 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 slightly 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 a 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 much thicker, while compared to that of the female pelvic bone is quite thin and denser.
- The bone called the obturator foramen in the male pelvis is round-shaped, while compared to the other hand, the obturator foramen present in the female pelvis is oval.
- The main purpose of the pelvic bone in the male body is to support the heavy body and muscles, on the other hand, 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 straight.
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
Last Updated : 10 July, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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