Final answer:
The statement is false; the mastoid process is generally larger and more pronounced in male skulls than in females, and it serves as an attachment site for neck muscles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that male skulls have a small projecting mastoid is false. In fact, the mastoid process, which is part of the temporal bone, is typically more prominent and larger in males than in females. This condition contributes to some of the observable differences between male and female skulls. The mastoid process is a palpable bony prominence located on each side of the skull just behind the earlobe, and it serves as an attachment site for certain muscles of the neck.
During early childhood, the mastoid process enlarges, contributing to the growth and enlargement of the face. It continues to be a distinguishing feature in human skulls, along with other characteristics like the contours of the brow ridge and jawbone.