Male vs Female Pelvis

The pelvis is a complex and important part of the human anatomy.

Located below the abdomen, the pelvis acts as a connection point between the spine and the lower limbs, supports the weight of the upper body, and protects vital organs such as:

• The bladder
• Reproductive organs
• Part of the digestive system

But not all pelvises are the same. In this article, we’ll look at the differences between a male and female pelvis.

Can You Determine Gender From the Pelvis?

When thinking about gender, we might think of facial features, body shape, or even voice pitch.

But the pelvis can also reveal gender.

This is useful in:

• Forensic anthropology
• Archaeology
• Clinical settings

The differences between a male and female pelvis are mainly due to adaptations related to childbirth.

Differences Between Male vs Female Pelvises

So, how can you tell the difference between the male and female pelvis?

The biggest differences are in the shapes and sizes of the pelvic bones.

Male vs Female Pelvic Bones

The pelvis is heavier in men than in women.

The bones in the female pelvis are lighter and thinner to accommodate the weight of a growing fetus during pregnancy. In males, the bones are thicker and denser.

Pelvic Inlet and Outlet

The inlet is the upper opening of the pelvis, and the outlet is the lower opening.

In females, the pelvic inlet is wider and more oval-shaped. In males, it’s narrower and more heart-shaped.

The pelvic outlet also follows this pattern and is larger in females to allow for the passage of a baby during birth.

Obturator Foramen, Subpubic Angle, Pubic Arch

The obturator foramen is round in males because the pelvis is narrower and taller. In females, it’s more oval-shaped.

The pubic arch is the angle formed by the inferior pubic rami (bones) and is wider in females.

The subpubic angle is the distance between the two pubic bones and is wider in females at around 74 to 106.5 degrees. In males, it’s much narrower at 50.8 to 84.6 degrees.

Sacrum and Coccyx

The sacrum and coccyx (tailbone) are the bones at the base of the spine that form part of the pelvis.

In females, the sacrum is shorter, wider, and more curved to create a larger birth canal. The coccyx curves outwardly or straight.

In contrast, the male sacrum is longer, narrower, and less curved, while the coccyx curves closer to the front of the body.

Acetabula, Ischial Tuberosities, and Greater Sciatic Notch

The acetabular, or hip sockets, are smaller and farther apart in females to accommodate the wider pelvic inlet.

In males, they’re typically larger and closer together.

The ischial tuberosities (sitting bones) are shorter, farther apart, and pointed outward. In males, they are longer, sharper, and pointed more inward.

The shape of the greater sciatic notch estimates gender with an accuracy rate of over 80%. In females, the notch is shallower and wider.

Ischiopubic Ramus, Subpubic Concavity, and Ventral Arc

The ischiopubic ramus comes to a point in females. In males, it’s blunt and flat.

The subpubic concavity, a notch found along the ischiopubic ramus’ inferior border, is more pronounced in post-pubescent females. In males, it’s shallower or absent.

The ventral arc, absent in males, is a bony ridge on the inferior pubic ramus (front part of the pelvic bone).

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