Predict what might happen if the greater sciatic notch of the ilium were abnormally small and narrow. Explain. (Hint: Consider the function of this notch.)

In males, even if the greater sciatic notches of the ilium are unusually small and narrow, it will not cause any modifications. However, in females, if the greater sciatic notches of the ilium were unusually small and narrow, then it would become difficult for the baby to pass through the pelvis at the time of delivery, thus resulting in complications during childbirth.

Due to this, the normal delivery would get complicated resulting in breathing complications and may even be fatal for the child.

The large, inverted U-shaped depression found in the posterior margin of the lower ilium is known as the greater sciatic notch. The marginally bent posterior margin of the ischium above the ischial tuberosity is the lesser sciatic notch. The body protrusion distinguishing the greater sciatic notch and the lesser sciatic notch is the ischial spine.

The greater sciatic notch of the male hip bone is deeper and narrower in comparison to the broader notch of the females. As the female pelvis is amended for childbirth, it is broader in comparison to the male pelvis, as proved by the distance between the anterior superior iliac spines.

Answer: it will lead to the compression of great vessels and muscles in males and females as well and to some extend it may lead to difficulty in birth delivery in females.

Explanation: the function of the greater sciatic notch is to hold the piriformis, the superior gluteal vein and artery, and the superior gluteal nerve; the inferior gluteal vein and artery and the inferior gluteal nerve; the sciatic and posterior femoral cutaneous nerves; the internal pudendal artery and veins, and the nerves to the internal obturator and quadratus femoris muscles. This vessels and muscles will be compressed leading to life-threatening malfunctions in the different parts of the body that these muscles and vessels support and innervates.