A Gender-based Study on the Morphometry of Cotyloid Cavity of the Coxal Bone in South Indian Population

Abstract

Background and Aim: The cotyloid cavity (acetabulum) is a cup-shaped hollow on the lateral aspect of the coxal bone. The head of the femur articulates with cotyloid cavity to form the hip joint. The cotyloid cavity varies in size, shape, and depth among individuals. Any deviation from the normal range of parameters of the acetabulum may result in arthrosis-related pathologies. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 200 dry human hip bones. The bones were collected from the department of anatomy of a medical college in Mangalore. The following morphometrical parameters of the cotyloid cavity were measured: (a) transverse diameter of acetabulum, (b) acetabular height, (c) acetabular depth, (d) acetabular volume, (e) distance from the pubic tubercle to the anterior rim of the acetabulum, and (f) ratio between distance from the pubic tubercle to the anterior rim of the acetabulum and acetabular height. Range, mean, standard deviation, and standard error of mean were determined for each parameter. P value was also calculated. Gender-wise comparison of the results was done. Results: The independent t-test was done, and the P value was calculated for each parameter. All the parameters showed significant differences between the male and female hip bones. Conclusion: In this modern era, total and partial hip replacement surgeries are very commonly performed. Therefore, knowledge regarding the various morphometrical parameters of the cotyloid cavity may be of great help in the preoperative planning period. It would also be of great help in the fields of forensic anthropology, osteology, and anatomy.