Only the femur is recovered from dismembered human remains. Measurement of the vertical diameter of the femoral head is performed to determine sex. Which measurement supports male sex?

• A Less than 40 mm
• B Less than 43 mm
• C Between 43 and 44 mm
• D Greater than 45 mm ✓

Explanation

The vertical diameter of the femoral head is a standard metrical discriminator: values above about 45 mm indicate a male, while values below about 43 mm indicate a female, with the narrow zone between them remaining indeterminate. This works because male femora are larger and heavier with a thicker shaft. The 43 to 44 mm range falls inside the overlap zone and cannot be assigned confidently, which is why option C is wrong.

Reference: Krogman and Iscan, The Human Skeleton in Forensic Medicine, 2nd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.