What is the Difference Between Male and Female Sacrum?

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The male and female sacrum, a bony structure located just below the lumbar vertebrae and above the coccyx, exhibit differences in shape and size. Some of the key differences between the male and female sacrum are:

  1. Length: The male sacrum is longer, while the female sacrum is shorter.
  2. Width: The male sacrum is narrower, while the female sacrum is wider.
  3. Pelvic Inlet: The pelvic inlet is heart-shaped in males and oval-shaped in females.
  4. Sacral Promontory: The sacral promontory, which is the anterior portion of the sacrum, is more pronounced in males and indistinct in females.
  5. Curvature: The male sacrum has a more curved shape, while the female sacrum is flatter, which is attributed to the female's biological ability for childbirth.

These differences in the sacrum can be used to determine the sex of an individual in archaeological or forensic settings.

Comparative Table: Male vs Female Sacrum

Here is a table summarizing the differences between male and female sacrum:

Feature Male Sacrum Female Sacrum
Length Longer Shorter
Width Narrower Wider
Pelvic Inlet Heart-shaped (male only) Oval-shaped (female only)
Promontory More pronounced Less pronounced
Pubic Angle Varies Varies
Coccyx Projected towards the inside Straighter and more flexible

The male sacrum is longer and narrower, while the female sacrum is shorter and wider. The pelvic inlet is heart-shaped in males and oval-shaped in females. The sacral promontory is more pronounced in males, and the pubic angle varies between individuals of both sexes.