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Vertebral cross-sectional area: an orphan phenotype with potential implications for female spinal health

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Abstract

A high priority in imaging-based research is the identification of the structural basis that confers greater risk for spinal disorders. New evidence indicates that factors related to sex influence the fetal development of the axial skeleton. Girls are born with smaller vertebral cross-sectional area compared to boys—a sexual dimorphism that is present throughout life and independent of body size. The smaller female vertebra is associated with greater flexibility of the spine that could represent the human adaptation to fetal load. It also likely contributes to the higher prevalence of spinal deformities, such as exaggerated lordosis and progressive scoliosis in adolescent girls when compared to boys, and to the greater susceptibility for spinal osteoporosis and vertebral fractures in elderly women than men.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    T. A. L. Wren & V. Gilsanz

  2. Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    S. Ponrartana & V. Gilsanz

  3. Department of Radiology, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, MS no. 81, 4650 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA

    V. Gilsanz

Authors
  1. T. A. L. Wren
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  2. S. Ponrartana
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  3. V. Gilsanz
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Correspondence to V. Gilsanz.

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Wren, T.A.L., Ponrartana, S. & Gilsanz, V. Vertebral cross-sectional area: an orphan phenotype with potential implications for female spinal health. Osteoporos Int 28, 1179–1189 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-016-3832-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-016-3832-z

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