Skull theory

Skull theory first came to light after the study into the differences between male and female skulls was considered by anthropologists. Many mothers-to-be became interested in the theory in the hope of determining which gender they had conceived with some claiming there is as high as a 92% accuracy rating using this method. So what is it all about?

The differences between male and female skull shapes:

A) The male skull is wider and ‘blockier’ and a much larger shape compared to the females, which is rounder, narrower and tapers at the top.

B) The temporal ridge which is the outer side of the upper skull is more prominent in a male. The male skulls temporal ridge is squarer.

C) A woman’s supraorbital margin (the ridge above the eyes) is sharper, while the male skull is rounder and deep.

D) The zygomatic bone is much more pronounced in a male skull (the cheekbone that lies under the eyes).

E) The mandible bone of a woman is rounded, while the male’s jaw is square.

F) The frontal bone on the forehead of a male is sloped compared to the female skull which terminates at the brow.

G) Men have a much larger and longer skull.

H) The superciliary arch is large and pronounced in the male compared to the female.

I) A males gonion (back of the jaw) is sharp and angled.

J) Men have larger teeth in general.

What anthropologists discovered here is indeed a fascinating explanation of the differences between male and female skulls, but; to use this study to guess the gender of a foetus during ultrasound is near to impossible. The studies developed by anthropologists were on adult male and female skeletons and not on developing babies in-utero. These anthropological differences are seldom discernible during an ultrasound, on such small foetuses.

There are also several geographical differences between male and female skulls, with great variation between Asian, African and European skulls.

Using this theory when looking at ultrasounds is, in fact, invalid and holds no accuracy. this is because not only are babies skulls still forming but each picture taken during an ultrasound will display different shape and sized skulls even on the same baby.

Therefore, this theory should only be used for fun.