The shapes of the female pelvis. Contributing factors.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the etiologic factors that play a role in shaping the female pelvis.


METHODS
The backgrounds of 611 pregnant women at term who underwent x-ray pelvimetry between 1962 and 1980 at term were extensively investigated.


RESULTS
Several facts were statistically significant. First, 24.1% of the patients had an android pelvis, although only 5.7% presented any sign of hyperandrogenism. Signs of hyperandrogenism were similarly encountered in patients with a gynecoid and any other type of pelvis. Second, the android pelvis was encountered mostly in patients exposed to strenuous physical activity during adolescence. Third, the anthropoid pelvis was encountered more often when the acquisition of erect posture was delayed beyond the usual age of 14 months, while a platypelloid pelvis was more frequent when erect posture was acquired before 14 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The final shape of the female pelvis seems to be determined by culture and environment as well as by genetics.
Abitbol
M M
MM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jamaica Hospital, New York 11418, USA.
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D044383:Black People; D003469:Culture; D004777:Environment; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011859:Radiography; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D044465:White People