Final answer:
The pelvis shows differences between males and females due to reproductive functions, with the female pelvis being wider and adapted for childbirth, featuring a wider pubic angle and larger pelvic canal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The anatomical characteristics of the pelvis have many differences due to the specific reproductive functions in females. The female pelvis is adapted for childbirth and exhibits several unique features when compared to the male pelvis. Females have evolved a wider pubic angle and a large diameter pelvic canal, which has resulted in successful reproduction across generations, thereby passing on these traits to their offspring. Major differences include a lighter and thinner pelvic bone structure, a round or oval-shaped pelvic inlet, a wider and shallower lesser pelvic cavity, and a greater subpubic angle of more than 80 degrees in females, in contrast to less than 70 degrees in males.
The male pelvis, on the other hand, has a heart-shaped pelvic inlet and is generally thicker and heavier, which is adapted for their stronger muscles and physical build. The sciatic notch is narrower and deeper than in females, and the overall structure is designed for support rather than childbirth. Because of these significant differences, the pelvis is the most reliable bone for determining sex in skeletal remains.