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Comparative forefoot trabecular bone architecture in extant hominids.
Nicole L Griffin1, Kristiaan D'Août, Timothy M Ryan
1Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, P.O. Box 90383 Science Drive Durham, NC, USA. nicole.griffin@duke.edu
Journal of Human Evolution
|July 27, 2010
Summary
Human metatarsal bone structure differs from great apes, revealing insights into early hominin forefoot function. This study analyzed internal bone architecture to understand gait and propulsion differences.
Area of Science:
- Paleoanthropology
- Biomechanics
- Comparative Anatomy
Background:
- Identifying the evolution of bipedal locomotion in hominins is challenging due to differing interpretations of external skeletal morphology.
- Previous research has focused on external bone structure, with limited success in differentiating metatarsophalangeal joint function between humans and great apes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate internal bone architecture of metatarsal heads to infer functional differences in forefoot propulsion between humans and great apes.
- To explore the potential of trabecular bone structure as an indicator of gait and forefoot function in fossil hominins.
Main Methods:
- Collected high-resolution X-ray computed tomography data from the first and second metatarsal heads of Homo sapiens, Pan paniscus, Pan troglodytes, Gorilla gorilla, and Pongo pygmaeus.
- Analyzed trabecular bone fabric structure in three distinct regions within each metatarsal head.
Main Results:
- Bone volume fraction did not significantly differentiate human and great ape trabecular bone.
- Human metatarsal heads exhibited significantly more anisotropic trabecular bone architecture, particularly in dorsal regions, compared to great apes.
- These anisotropy differences suggest habitual forefoot use for propulsion in human gait.
Conclusions:
- Trabecular bone architecture, specifically anisotropy in dorsal regions of metatarsal heads, can differentiate human and great ape forefoot function.
- This internal bone analysis offers a novel method for predicting gait and forefoot function in fossil hominins.
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