Male human skulls show greater overall variation in size and shape
In short: Researchers who analyzed 3D landmarks on a geographically consistent sample of Italian skulls from the 19th and 20th centuries found that males exhibit more morphological variation than females. While both sexes share similar cranial structures, the study confirmed that males generally show a wider range of diversity in their skull size and shape.
The study used Procrustean geometric morphometrics to compare four specific regions of the cranium. The results showed that size is the primary driver of sexual dimorphism, while shape accounts for only a small portion of the differences. Notably, the cranial base showed almost no dimorphism in shape.
The findings provide a confirmation of Wainer's rule—the principle that males typically show more variation than females—specifically for the human cranium. However, the study was limited by its focus on a specific geographic population, highlighting the need for diverse models to accurately estimate sex in unidentified remains.
Why it matters: Understanding the specific regions and factors of skull variation helps forensic scientists more accurately identify the sex of unidentified remains.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Research: Milella et al. (2021). Sexual differences in human cranial morphology: Is one sex more variable or one region more dimorphic?. The Anatomical Record.
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