What characteristic defines the surface of a female's skull?

The characteristic that defines the surface of a female's skull is often described as smooth and gracile. Female skulls typically have less pronounced muscle attachment sites and a more slender, lighter overall structure compared to male skulls. This is largely due to biological differences in male and female physiology, where females generally have smaller muscle mass and less robust structures.

The smoothness can be attributed to the absence of prominent brow ridges and more rounded contours, which are more common in male skulls. This gracile nature is essential in forensic analysis, as it can aid in the determination of biological sex from skeletal remains. This characteristic becomes critical in the context of forensic identification and can provide valuable information during investigations.