[Sexual dimorphic patterns of ossificated costal cartilages in humans].

Ossification of costal cartilages is one of many changes reflecting their ageing. It is found only in a limited percentage of population and used to begin at various ages. Shape of these ossification changes is different in men and women. Due to heterogeneity of data in literature and scarce amount of information, we decided to evaluate the occurrence of costal cartilage ossifications in a sample of Czech population. Use of roentgenograms of ossification focuses was based on their contrast in x-rays. We have studied altogether 1044 X-rays archived by Department of Radiology at the Teaching Hospital in Hradec Kráov'e. This set comprised roentgenograms of both men and women in age range from 10 to 95 years. Ossification changes of costal cartilages were described on 18 roentgenograms from dissection material as well. These rtg pictures were taken from chest plates and costal cartilages which were obtained from Department of Anatomy and Department of Forensic Medicine at Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové. In this sample of Czech population we confirmed an occurrence of sexual dimorphism of ossified costal cartilages. Statistical evaluation revealed that beginning of these changes depends on the age and sex.