Developmental Evolution
Can a single anthropometric feature of the lumbar vertebra result in a correct identification of sex?
Maria Jelaca-Tavakoli*, Mary E Lewis
*Corresponding author: Maria Jelaca-Tavakoli
Southwestern College, Chula Vista, CA, USA
F1000Posters 2012, 3: 310 (poster) [English]
Poster [614.25 KB]
Presented at
Experimental Biology 2012,
21 - 25 Apr 2012, 721.1
The vertebral column is not commonly associated with the estimation of sex among anatomists and anthropologists. First publications regarding sex differences in the spine suggest that a higher frequency of supernumerary vertebrae is associated with males. Other than numeral variations, dimensional differences in the spine have been studied and conclusions suggest that noteworthy differences between the sexes exist. Some researchers claim that it is males, few that it is females who display dimensionally larger vertebral elements, while others proposed that even though differences in average vertebral dimensions are present, they are not significant. Other opinions claim that no sexual dimorphism in the spine exists. This blind anthropometric study examines the sexing potential of the maximum lumbar vertebral body diameter (MBD) collected from the L4 and L5.
The standards developed and the simplicity of the method presented requires only a caliper (digital or not) which could be straightforwardly applied in various demanding contexts including, but not limited to, clinical, anatomical, forensic and osteoanthropometric.
No relevant competing interests disclosed.
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