Gender dimorphism of axons in the human lateral corticospinal tract.

Axons in the lateral corticospinal tract (LCST) were analyzed morphometrically on 37 cadavers (24 males and 13 females). The results revealed gender differences at the first lumbar cord level. Whereas the shape of the axons showed small differences (they were slightly more circular in males than in females), significant differences regarding the average area and diameter were found for the first time: these showed significant reduction with age in the case of males, but not in the case of females.