[Sexual differences of the bone mineral content and density of human calcanei]

To examine whether there were sexual differences of human calcanei, the bone mineral content, bone mineral density and bone mass were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, and the principal of Archimedes, respectively. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry indicated that the average relative contents of calcium and phosphorus in the man's calcanei were one and a half folds higher than those in the woman's calcanei over 40 years old. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry showed that the average bone mineral density of the man's calcanei was two times higher than that of the woman's ones over 40 years old. In addition, the average calcanean volume of the man was about one and a half folds larger than that of the woman over 40 years old.