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Updated: May 9, 2026
09:29
Skeletal Muscle Gender Dimorphism from Proteomics
Published on: December 14, 2011
Gender variation of human spinal and paraspinal structures.
R G Cooper1, S Holli, M I Jayson
1Rheumatic Diseases Centre, University of Manchester, Hope Hospital, Salford, UK.
Clinical Biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)
|August 7, 2013
Summary
Males have larger spinal and paraspinal muscle cross-sectional areas (CSA) than females, with significant relationships between body weight and muscle CSA in both sexes. These gender differences suggest biomechanical and hormonal influences.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Biomechanics
- Radiology
Background:
- Low back pain is a common condition affecting individuals across various age groups.
- Understanding anatomical variations related to gender may provide insights into pain mechanisms and treatment.
- Spinal and paraspinal structures play a crucial role in spinal stability and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of gender on the cross-sectional areas (CSA) of spinal and paraspinal structures.
- To examine the relationship between body weight, gender, and the dimensions of these anatomical structures.
- To explore potential biomechanical and hormonal factors contributing to observed gender differences.
Main Methods:
- Anthropometric assessments were conducted on 92 patients (39 female, 53 male) aged 20-55 years with low back pain.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scans were used to measure the cross-sectional areas (CSA) of the L4 vertebra, paraspinal muscles, and psoas muscles.
- Measurements were taken at the level of the upper table of the L4 vertebra.
Main Results:
- Males exhibited significantly greater cross-sectional areas (CSA) for all measured spinal and paraspinal structures compared to females.
- Significant linear relationships were observed between body weight and the CSA of L4, paraspinal, and psoas muscles in both sexes.
- Regression lines for muscle CSA, while parallel between genders, were separated, indicating consistently larger areas in males.
Conclusions:
- Males possess significantly larger muscle and bone cross-sectional areas than females, independent of body weight.
- The greater gender difference in psoas muscle CSA compared to paraspinal muscles suggests specific biomechanical and hormonal influences.
- These findings highlight important gender-based anatomical variations in the trunk musculature relevant to low back pain.
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