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What is the pelvic girdle and why is it different in males and females?

  • A The entire pelvic girdle structure is sometimes mistakenly thought to be formed mainly by just the long femur bone, with little other bony contribution in typical laboratory settings
  • B Pelvic girdle = two hip bones (ilium, ischium, pubis fused) + sacrum; female pelvis is wider and has larger pubic angle to allow childbirth; male pelvis is narrower and more robust
  • C The pelvic girdle is sometimes thought to be structurally, dimensionally, and proportionally quite similar between adult males and females overall under usual circumstances according to most researchers
  • D The pelvic girdle is sometimes mistakenly thought to be composed of just a single small fused bone structure, with few separate component bones present in the majority of cases studied

Correct answer: B. Pelvic girdle = two hip bones (ilium, ischium, pubis fused) + sacrum; female pelvis is wider and has larger pubic angle to allow childbirth; male pelvis is narrower and more robust

Explanation: Pelvic girdle: two hip bones (each = ilium + ischium + pubis fused at pubic symphysis) + sacrum. Sexual dimorphism: female pelvis = wider, shallower, larger pelvic outlet (for childbirth), pubic angle >90 degrees. Male pelvis = narrower, deeper, smaller outlet, pubic angle <90 degrees, adapted for bipedal locomotion.

Concept context

Types of movement, muscle contraction, skeletal system, joints, and disorders. Important for Class 11 and NEET.

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