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 Concept Videos

Muscles of the Pelvic Floor and Perineum01:26

Muscles of the Pelvic Floor and Perineum

6.6K
The muscles of the pelvic floor and perineum are crucial for supporting the pelvic organs, controlling continence, and aiding in sexual function, childbirth, and core stability. They are typically divided into the superficial perineal layer and the deep pelvic floor layer.
Perineal Layer
The perineum is a diamond-shaped area below the pelvic diaphragm, divided into an anterior urogenital triangle that contains the external genitals and a posterior anal triangle housing the anus. The urogenital...
6.6K
Uterus and Cervix01:18

Uterus and Cervix

8.0K
The uterus, commonly called the womb, is a vital reproductive organ in females designed to provide a nurturing environment for the implantation and growth of an embryo. It is shaped like a hollow pear and positioned between the urinary bladder and the rectum. The uterus's structure allows it to support and protect a developing fetus throughout pregnancy.
The uterus is securely anchored within the pelvic cavity by paired broad ligaments on either side. It is further stabilized by three pairs...
8.0K
Anatomical Positions01:11

Anatomical Positions

23.3K
In anatomy, several standard anatomical positions are used as references for describing the position and orientation of different body parts. These positions help provide a common frame of reference when discussing anatomical structures. The anatomical position is the standard reference point for describing the body's position and orientation. In this position:
The body is upright, facing forward, and standing erect.
The feet are parallel and flat on the floor.
The arms are hanging by the...
23.3K
Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus01:15

Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus

5.3K
Development of the reproductive organs in an embryo starts from a bipotential state. This means the early embryo can develop either male or female reproductive organs. The formation of these organs begins with the growth of gonadal ridges that arise from the intermediate mesoderm during the fifth week of development.
Near the gonadal ridges, two duct systems are present: the mesonephric ducts (Wolffian ducts) and paramesonephric ducts (Müllerian ducts). These ducts form the basis for the...
5.3K
Anatomy of the Genitourinary System II: Bladder and Urethra01:19

Anatomy of the Genitourinary System II: Bladder and Urethra

3.2K
The lower urinary system consists of the urinary bladder and urethra, which are essential in storing and expelling urine from the body. Together with the internal and external sphincters, these structures work together to regulate urination effectively.Anatomy of the BladderThe urinary bladder is a muscular, stretchable organ behind the pubic bone and in front of the rectum. In females, the bladder is positioned anterior to the vagina and inferior to the uterus, while in males, it is located...
3.2K
Abdominal Aorta01:25

Abdominal Aorta

3.4K
Once the aorta traverses the diaphragmatic plane at the aortic hiatus, it is known as the abdominal aorta. This anatomical structure is positioned leftward of the spinal column, encased within a cocoon of adipose tissue behind the peritoneal cavity. It terminates at the L4 vertebra, where it splits into the common iliac arteries. Prior to this bifurcation, the abdominal aorta gives rise to several vital branches.
The celiac trunk, a singular artery, divides into the left gastric artery, which...
3.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Birth: From obscurity to hot topic.

Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)·2026
Same author

Birth, obstetrics and human evolution.

BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology·2002
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Quantification of Levator Ani Hiatus Enlargement by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Males and Females with Pelvic Organ Prolapse
07:41

Quantification of Levator Ani Hiatus Enlargement by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Males and Females with Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Published on: April 17, 2019

10.6K

Primate pelvic anatomy and implications for birth.

Wenda Trevathan1

  • 1Department of Anthropology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA wtrevath@nmsu.edu.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences
|January 21, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Human birth is complex due to bipedalism, requiring infant rotation and often assistance. Comparing human and primate births reveals unique challenges and adaptations in the delivery process.

Keywords:
birthevolutionobstetric dilemma, pelvisprimate

More Related Videos

Isolation and Characterization of the Murine Uterosacral Ligaments and Pelvic Floor Organs
05:47

Isolation and Characterization of the Murine Uterosacral Ligaments and Pelvic Floor Organs

Published on: March 3, 2023

2.2K
Development of a Uterosacral Ligament Suspension Rat Model
08:58

Development of a Uterosacral Ligament Suspension Rat Model

Published on: August 17, 2022

6.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Quantification of Levator Ani Hiatus Enlargement by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Males and Females with Pelvic Organ Prolapse
07:41

Quantification of Levator Ani Hiatus Enlargement by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Males and Females with Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Published on: April 17, 2019

10.6K
Isolation and Characterization of the Murine Uterosacral Ligaments and Pelvic Floor Organs
05:47

Isolation and Characterization of the Murine Uterosacral Ligaments and Pelvic Floor Organs

Published on: March 3, 2023

2.2K
Development of a Uterosacral Ligament Suspension Rat Model
08:58

Development of a Uterosacral Ligament Suspension Rat Model

Published on: August 17, 2022

6.2K

Area of Science:

  • Human evolutionary biology
  • Primate reproductive anatomy
  • Obstetrics

Background:

  • The mammalian pelvis supports locomotion and serves as the female birth canal.
  • Encephalized primates face an 'obstetric dilemma' due to neonate size and pelvic structure.
  • Human bipedalism further complicated the birth process, necessitating complex fetal rotation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the birth process in humans and non-human primates.
  • To highlight similarities and differences in primate and human delivery.
  • To understand the evolutionary pressures on human birth.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of recently reported observations of births in monkeys and apes.
  • Comparative study of human and non-human primate birth mechanics.
  • Examination of fetal presentation, rotation, and maternal/infant roles.

Main Results:

  • Human birth involves a unique sequence of rotations for fetal emergence, unlike most apes and monkeys.
  • Reliance on assistance during delivery is a key difference in human births.
  • Developmental state of the neonate at birth varies across primate species.

Conclusions:

  • The evolution of bipedalism created a more challenging birth canal negotiation in humans.
  • Human birth mechanics necessitate specific adaptations and often require external assistance.
  • Comparative analysis underscores the unique obstetric challenges faced by humans.