Written in Bone - Male or Female?

Bone Basics An Inside Look at Bone Young or Old? Male or Female? Ancestry Human or Non-Human?

How do investigators and scientists tell if a bone
or skeleton belongs to a man or a woman? The clues lie in the bones themselves.

A skeleton's overall size and sturdiness give some clues. Within the same population, males tend to have larger, more robust bones and joint surfaces, and more bone development at muscle attachment sites. However, the pelvis is the best sex-related skeletal indicator, because
of distinct features adapted for childbearing. The skull
also has features that can indicate sex, though slightly less reliably.

Clues in the Pelvis

[Left] Male pelvis. [Right] Female pelvis.
Image courtesy: Smithsonian Institution

This table outlines the differences between a male and female pelvis.

Male	Female
narrower, heart-shaped pelvic inlet	open, circular pelvic inlet
narrower sciatic notch	broader sciatic notch
narrower angle where the two pubic bones meet in front	wider angle where the two pubic bones meet in front
	more outwardly flared hip bones

Fact:

Sex-related skeletal features are not obvious in children's bones. Subtle differences are detectable, but they become more defined following puberty and sexual maturation.

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Male or Female?

Bone Basics

How do investigators and scientists tell if a bone or skeleton belongs to a man or a woman? The clues lie in the bones themselves.

Clues in the Pelvis

Male

Female

Fact:

How do investigators and scientists tell if a bone
or skeleton belongs to a man or a woman? The clues lie in the bones themselves.