2.1 Differences between Male and Female Human Skulls

“Question 2: “Is a male human skull different from that of a female? If yes, how?”

Hello to my dear readers, I believe that this case has already piqued your tiny little curiosities, ain't it? Come, we, the amazingly awesome Dental Investigators shall lead you on the wondrous journey of investigation J

Before we delve into the myriad of differences between male and female skulls, let’s have a short and quick glance about the human skull structures! Here’s a special video for you to better understand our discussion later.

Reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgBmaQBB7RU

So, my dear readers, I believe you already have a tinkling of an idea about the general anatomy of human skulls. Thus, “Dang Dang Dang Dang!”, it’s time to follow our lead as we discuss the differences between the male and female human skull! (applause please)

For your knowledge, in forensic aspects as seen in those overly dramatic CSI TV shows, the sex of a human dead body can be identified via examining the human skull. Firstly, the forehead of the male human skull is more sloping or receding than the female. No doubt, this is one of the MOST significant features for the whole differentiation shebang! I believe some of our more cerebrally-endowed readers may have already started to fetch a mirror and are touching their forehead at this very moment.*smile* (We have psychic powers) So, we have prepared a picture for your better understanding! :D

Reference: http://www.juniordentist.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/Difference-between-male-and-female-skull.jpg

Hmm, so what will be the next feature worth highlighting? :) It’s the vault of the skull! The vault of skull is more rounded in males than in females. Here's another picture to clear your doubt-fogged brains.  J

                   

Reference: http://www.juniordentist.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/male-skull-vs-female-skull.jpeg

Moreover, how much do you know about the bony elevated surfaces on cranial vault? Temporal Line on temporal bone, Nuchal Line and External Occipital Protuberance on the occipital bone are more prominent in male human skull than in female.

Reference: http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b377/Hikaruuchi/Benkyou/ExtentScalpTaisuke-1.jpg

Besides, we can find a more pronounced supraorbital ridge on the male human skull. Have you ever watched a famous movie called Twilight? (guys don't like it) Have you ever noticed the difference of the supraorbital ridge between the male and female leads in the movie? HAHA! Most of you will say NO! Let’s look at this picture!

                                                                       

Reference: http://breakingdawnthesoundtrack.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/breakdawn_p2_soundtrackcover02-1024x1024.jpg

Reference: http://meandrichard.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/ep1_103.jpg

Apart from that, the superior orbital margin of female human skull is sharper than the male's, seems like we girls don't only have sharp tongues. Here's another picture below, complete with super-helpful labels, to further guide you along the identification journey!

                                                                     

Another important point is that, for males, the overall length of the skull is longer, the chin is larger and protrudes more forward and the entire skull is rugged due to its muscular make up. We all love the tough guy look after all. (Like Chris Hemsworth *squeals*)

                                                               

Reference: http://www.skullgallery.com/media/00/a20791c1305da0ea41c9a3_m.jpg

Moreover, zygomatic bones are also more massive in males than in females.

Reference: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5TvNPAEB5llDGLQfgqKJ_lWOBqhIgQ2d9RPtIxRoBVUcORWoXH-i69PLB1LEjHL9yp0XjKHKoBXXpDdKNuSIowL_V-z4iO8uCBlIOitMaVibqdmb-x-5nMlXCk2IQLlSWFsZWF3LVpki/s640/1.jpg

Now, you must be starting to feel curious whether there is anything else other than the features above that can help to our differentiating between male and female human skulls. Of course there is! (Eyes gleam). It is essential to mention that mastoid process of the male human skull is larger than the female's. No idea what in the world (or on your face) we're referring to? Have a look at the next picture J

Reference: http://www.juniordentist.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/Difference-between-male-and-female-skull.jpg

Furthermore, here's another tiny little secret, unknown to many, the angle of mandible is more ’flared’ in males while the angle of mandible in females is smoother and does not project. Besides, males tend to have ‘square-shaped’ chin while females have ‘pointed’ chin.

                          Reference: http://www.spoilheap.co.uk/pics/skullsex.jpg

Hmm..what about dentition? Since our discussion of this question has come nearly to the end, pop quiz! We would like to test you, our (hopefully) smart readers whether a male or female human skull has larger dentition. :D

“Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock! Times Up, Boys and Girls!". The answer is definitely the male! HAHA :P *Men used to eat more than women, big strong men need more food to do the heavy lifting after all, thus their teeth have developed into being generally larger and stronger for more efficient biting and chewing compared to female (Ladies, you've seen how guys eat...) *. Evidence is shown in below. *Smiling with sparkly teeth*

Reference:http://www.independent.com.mt/uploads/media/NewspaperArticleImage-MediaItem/Large/404881408-w-obama-thai-Obama-gets-taste-of-Thailand-at-Buddhist-temple.jpg

The man with charming look on the left side is Barack Obama, The President of United States while the sweet lady on the left side is Yingluck, The Prime Minister of Thailand. It is obviously shown in the photo above that President Obama has a larger dentition than the Prime Minister Yingluck. (Oppss...NO OFFENCE!)

In conclusion, male human skull is dominant in most of the features compared to female. Male human skulls are heavier, larger in size and have thicker bony masses. After reading the our amazingly-detailed explanation done, our (now) intelligent readers have definitely become well-equipped with the knowledge of differentiating male and female human skulls! You have now embarked on the first steps to becoming forensic scientists! (Ahem, not without the proper certificates of course.) And so, piqued your interest? Join us, the amazing Dental Investigators, again as we further unravel more dental mysteries. (Put on sunglasses, James Bond pose! :P )

Remember to stay tuned for our next discussion J

Summary of the question:

Male Human Skull	Female Human Skull
Skull heavier	Skull lighter
Skull size larger	Skull size smaller
Bony mass thicker	Bony mass thinner
Forehead of skull slightly sloping or receding	Forehead of skull is vertical
The vault of skull is more rounded	The vault of skull is more flattened
Temporal Line on temporal bone is more prominent	Temporal line on temporal bone is less prominent
Nuchal line and External Occipital Protuberance on occipital bone are more prominent	Nuchal line and External Occipital Protuberance on occipital bone are less prominent
The overall length of the skull is longer and the chin is bigger and protrude more forwards, the skull is rugged due to its muscular make up, and the zygomatic bones are also more massive.	The skull is rounded, with the facial bones being smoother and both maxillary and mandibular jaws smaller.
Supraorbital margin more rounded	Supraorbital margin more sharp
Brow ridge more demarcated	Brow ridge less demarcated
Larger mastoid process	Smaller mastoid process
Mandible tends to have a ‘Square-shaped’ chin	Mandible tends to have ‘pointed’ chin
Angle of mandible is ‘flared’	Angle of mandible is smoother and does not project.
Dentition is larger	Dentition is smaller

Reference List:

1) Bass, William M.1995. 4th ed. Human Osteology: A laboratory and Field Manual of the        Human Skeleton. Specials Publication No.2. Missiouri.
2) Mary Bath-Balogh, Margaret J. Fehrenbach.2011. 3rd ed. Dental Embryology,                          Histology, and Anatomy.
3) http://www.juniordentist.com/differentiate-male-skull-female-skull.html by Dr Varun. View on           29/9/2013