INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANATOMY PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY

1-4

Authors: Shingare AK, Masram NB, Dhapate SS

INTRODUCTION: Sacrum is a large triangular bone forming the posterosuperior wall of the pelvic cavity wedged between the two innominate bones. It is formed by fusion of five sacral vertebrae and forms the caudal end of the vertebral column. Anatomists and anthropologists since long acknowledged the importance of sacrum in identifying the sex of a deceased person. Sexual dimorphic characters can be studied both morphologically and metrically. MATERIALS & METHODS: The present study was performed at Department of Anatomy, S.R.T.R.Government Medical College, Ambajogai, Maharashtra on 50 (25 male and 25 female) adult human sacrum of known sex. Equipments used were Sliding vernier caliper, divider and steel measuring scale. Parameters studied were Maximum length of sacrum, Maximum breadth of sacrum, Sacral index. AIMS & OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine sexual dimorphism of adult sacrum, to evaluate the most significant parameter in sexual dimorphism and also to compare and contrast the result of present study with previous studies. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Ventral straight length and sacral index was found to be highly significant with a p value of <0.0001. Maximum breadth was found to be not significant with a p value of <0.0566. From the present study we find out similarities and differences in the metrical values of different sacral parameters in males and females and also highlighted the best parameter which can be used for sexual dimorphism of sacrum.