As anyone who’s taken a basic biology class knows, males and females have different chromosomes that determine gender. The entire chromosomal profile of an organism is included in every individual cell, so it is possible to identify gender by examining the DNA of even a single cell. The different chromosomes in males and females result in several differences in development, most notably the hormones present in the body. Females produce a greater amount of estrogen (the “female hormone”), which in turn affects their bone development in several key ways. Males, on the other hand, produce a greater amount of testosterone (the “male hormone”), which likewise affects the development of male bones.
First of all, males’ and females’ bones develop at different rates. We all know the adage that girls mature faster than boys, and while this old axiom is meant to refer to emotional maturity, it is also true of the human skeleton. All humans are born with a portion of cartilage in their bones, which starts out flexible and becomes more firm over time, resulting in the hard texture we all associate with bones.
The bones in a female body complete their development sooner than those in the male body. Female bones complete their development around age 18, while men’s bones continue to mature until around age 21. This is part of the explanation behind the difference in the average size of male and female bones—as the male bones continue to grow and develop longer, they also become larger (on average) and have more pronounced corners. Thus, the relative size of several key features can be used to identify a male vs. female skeleton. In males, the jaw bone is generally larger and more pronounced, and the brow is taller. Male skeletons also generally have longer, thicker bones in the arms, legs and fingers.
Let thy lord have mercy on thou soul, demon.
