Hip dips, also referred to as violin hips, are natural inward indentations located on the outer side of the body, just below the hip bone. This contour is a feature of human anatomy and is not a medical condition. While often discussed in the context of female body shapes, the fundamental structures that create this feature exist in every person. Men can have hip dips, as the underlying cause is skeletal.
The Anatomy Behind Hip Dips
The physical appearance of a hip dip results directly from the fixed structure of the pelvis and the thigh bone. This indentation forms in the space between two major bones: the ilium (the upper wing of the pelvis) and the greater trochanter (the bony knob at the top of the femur). The skin and connective tissue tether to this underlying bone structure.
This tethering causes the outer contour of the body to curve inward due to the natural gap between the lower edge of the ilium and the greater trochanter. The depth of the hip dip is determined by genetic variation in the precise shape and spacing of these bones. Factors such as the width of the pelvis and the length of the femoral neck influence how pronounced the depression will be.
The muscles that surround this area, specifically the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus, attach to the greater trochanter. Because the tendons of these muscles wrap over the bony protrusion, the skin is pulled inward slightly, creating the characteristic depression. This skeletal arrangement is a standard feature of human anatomy, making the potential for this contour universal.
Why Men Can Have Hip Dips
The presence of hip dips is not exclusive to female anatomy because the underlying cause is the skeletal arrangement shared by all humans. Every person possesses the ilium and the greater trochanter, meaning the foundational anatomy is present in men just as it is in women.
Hip dips are commonly associated with women due to typical differences in body composition and fat storage patterns. Women generally have a wider pelvis and are genetically predisposed to store a higher percentage of subcutaneous fat around the hips and thighs. This wider pelvic structure can sometimes increase the distance between the ilium and the femur, potentially making the dip more noticeable.
Conversely, men typically have a narrower pelvic structure and tend to store less subcutaneous fat in the outer hip and thigh region. This difference in fat distribution means that while the skeletal indentation is still present, it may be less visible in men simply because there is less soft tissue volume surrounding the area. Despite this typical difference, the bony framework for the depression remains a feature of male anatomy.
Influence of Body Composition on Visibility
While the skeletal structure establishes the potential for hip dips, the visibility of the indentation is significantly influenced by a person’s body composition. Individuals with a lower overall body fat percentage often find that their hip dips appear more defined. With less subcutaneous fat to provide a smooth contour, the structural dip created by the bone alignment becomes more apparent.
The development of the gluteal muscles also plays a role in how noticeable the indentation is. Building mass in the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus can add volume to the area around the greater trochanter. This increase in muscle mass can effectively fill out the soft tissue surrounding the depression, which may create a smoother transition from the hip to the thigh.
However, the ability of muscle growth to completely eliminate a hip dip is limited because the indentation is fundamentally a result of bone shape. Even highly muscular athletes can have prominent hip dips if their particular pelvic structure dictates a large space between the ilium and the greater trochanter. Ultimately, body fat and muscle development can soften the appearance, but they cannot change the underlying genetic bone structure.