title: Sexual dimorphism in human vertebral body shape.
abstract: This study demonstrates that the earlier growth spurt in vertebral height in females and the greater growth in vertebral transverse diameter in males, both give rise to sexual dimorphism in vertebral shape, female vertebral bodies being significantly more slender than male vertebral bodies from the age of 8 years onwards. The possible relationship of this difference to sex differences in scoliosis prevalence is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011187:Posture; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013131:Spine / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*