SEXUAL DIMORPHISM IN GREATER SCIATIC NOTCH - A MORPHOMETRIC STUDY

The sex of an individual is a basic biological attribute that must be taken into consideration in human population studies. There are metric variations in the expression of sexual dimorphism. The pelvis is most sexually dimorphic and is the first bone assessed in sex determination because it is the skeletal element most affected by reproduction and parturition. Portions of the pelvis that are more resistant to damage can be used to determine the sex of an individual, such as the greater sciatic notch and auricular surface of the ilium. The features of the greater sciatic notch are characteristic and highly sexually dimorphic. AIMS & OBJECTIVE: To compare the different parameters of greater sciatic notches for sexual dimorphism and correlate this study with the similar studies done in the past. MATERIAL & METHODS: The study was done on 46 hip bones of adult individuals of known sex from the museum of department of Anatomy of TMMC&RC Moradabad and nearby medical colleges of same geographical strata. The instrument used was tri-flanged stainless steel caliper. ANALYTICAL TEST: Student's t test. RESULT: Max width (R) M/F=33.8/45, (L) M/F=34.1/43.3. Max depth (R) M/F=25.6/24.7, (L) M/F=26.5/24.2. Posterior segment of width (R) M/F=28.9/24.7, (L) M/F=28.0/22. Index-1(R) M/F=74/55, (L) M/F=78/57. Index-2 (R) M/F=85/55, (L) M/F=82/50. CONCLUSION: There was a non-significant difference in maximum width of greater sciatic notch of male and females on right side, but a significant difference was found in the maximum width of male and females notches on the left side and same is true for maximum depth also. The posterior segment of width differed significantly on the right side while on the left side the difference was non-significant. A significant difference was also noted both in index-I and index -II of male and females greater sciatic notches on both sides.