Identification: sexing the pelvis: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Forensic Medicine · Identification: sexing the pelvis

Sample item

Which pelvic feature is typical of the female pelvis when sex is being determined from skeletal remains?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Subpubic angle greater than 90 degrees

The female pelvis is adapted for childbirth, being wider and shallower. The subpubic angle is wide (usually over 90 degrees, a U-shaped arch), the greater sciatic notch is wide and the inlet is round or oval, whereas the male angle is under 90 degrees.

Option by option

  • A. Deep funnel-shaped pelvic cavity

    A deep, funnel-shaped cavity is a male feature, as the female cavity is shallow and roomy.

  • B. Heart-shaped pelvic inlet

    A heart-shaped inlet is a male feature, while the female inlet is round or oval.

  • C. Subpubic angle greater than 90 degrees (correct)

    The wide subpubic angle is a classical female feature.

  • D. Narrow greater sciatic notch

    A narrow greater sciatic notch is a male feature.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Subpubic angle greater than 90 degrees. The female pelvis is adapted for childbirth, being wider and shallower.

Why is "Deep funnel-shaped pelvic cavity" not the answer?

A deep, funnel-shaped cavity is a male feature, as the female cavity is shallow and roomy.

Why is "Heart-shaped pelvic inlet" not the answer?

A heart-shaped inlet is a male feature, while the female inlet is round or oval.

Why is "Narrow greater sciatic notch" not the answer?

A narrow greater sciatic notch is a male feature.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Identification: sexing the pelvis in Forensic Medicine. The subpubic angle is wide (usually over 90 degrees, a U-shaped arch), the greater sciatic notch is wide and the inlet is round or oval, whereas the male angle is under 90 degrees.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Identification: sexing the pelvis?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.