Anterior view, adult pelvis

The adult male pelvis is on your left.  The adult female pelvis is on your right.  The pubic angle of a prepubescent female and a normal male will be a narrow, 50 to 60^o.  The pubic angle of a normal postpubescent female is relatively wide, 80 to 85^o (not all women have this change).  The change comes about due to hormones and it is functionally important because it facilitates birth of children.  The downside of this for mature women is that this change may contribute to a higher risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage due to the resulting change of geometry of the knee joint.  This may also be useful at parties when trying to determine if Pat is a man or a woman!

COPYRIGHT 2008 by William C. Johnson II
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED!