Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Evolutionary development of the human thumb.

M W Marzke1

  • 1Department of Anthropology, Arizona State University, Tempe.

Hand Clinics
|February 1, 1992
PubMed
Summary

Human thumb evolution showcases a transition from primitive to unique manipulative features. These changes, particularly the saddle joint and broad phalanx, enabled tool use and survival.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A clarification of Pouydebat et al., 2008, evolution of grasping among anthropoids.

Journal of evolutionary biology·2009
Same author

Comparative 3D quantitative analyses of trapeziometacarpal joint surface curvatures among living catarrhines and fossil hominins.

American journal of physical anthropology·2009
Same author

The Oreopithecus thumb: pitfalls in reconstructing muscle and ligament attachments from fossil bones.

Journal of human evolution·2006
Same author

A 3D quantitative comparison of trapezium and trapezoid relative articular and nonarticular surface areas in modern humans and great apes.

Journal of human evolution·2005
Same author

Functional capabilities of modern and fossil hominid hands: three-dimensional analysis of trapezia.

American journal of physical anthropology·2003
Same author

Comparative morphology of the pollical distal phalanx.

American journal of physical anthropology·2003

Area of Science:

  • Paleoanthropology
  • Human Evolution
  • Anatomy

Background:

  • The human thumb exhibits a mix of primitive and unique anatomical features.
  • These features reflect evolutionary adaptations from arboreal grasping to terrestrial manipulation.
  • The trapeziometacarpal joint and distal phalanx show significant divergence from nonhuman primates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To trace the evolutionary trajectory of the human thumb.
  • To correlate thumb morphology with functional demands, such as tool use.
  • To understand the sequence of morphological changes in hominid thumb evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of fossil remains to examine thumb bone morphology.
  • Comparative anatomical studies of human and nonhuman primate thumbs.
  • Inference of functional capabilities based on joint structure and fossil evidence.

Main Results:

  • Early hominids possessed shorter thumbs relative to finger length, lacking stress tolerance for tool manufacture.
  • Later hominids displayed flatter trapeziometacarpal joints and larger distal phalanges, indicating enhanced opposability and stress tolerance.
  • The broad distal phalanx with a palmar pad is a uniquely human trait.

Conclusions:

  • Modern human thumb morphology is shaped by the demands of firm gripping and high stress tolerance, crucial for stone tool use.
  • Thumb joint pathologies offer insights into the evolutionary sequence of thumb morphology.
  • The evolution of the human thumb is a key adaptation in the hominid lineage.

Related Experiment Videos