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Evolution of Spinopelvic Alignment in Hominins
Ella Been1,2, Asier Gómez-Olivencia3,4,5, Sara Shefi1
1Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Professions, Ono Academic College, Israel.
Anatomical Record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)
|April 14, 2017
Summary
Extinct hominins achieved upright posture through diverse spinopelvic alignments, not just one. This study reveals unique spinal curvatures and pelvic orientations in Australopithecus, Homo erectus, Neanderthals, and early Homo sapiens.
Area of Science:
- Paleoanthropology
- Human Anatomy
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Spinopelvic alignment, the interplay of pelvic orientation, spinal curves, and gravity, is crucial for upright posture.
- Modern humans exhibit reciprocal spinal curves (lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, cervical lordosis) and pelvic incidence for efficient sagittal balance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare spinopelvic alignment across key extinct hominin groups.
- To understand the evolutionary adaptations for bipedalism in different hominin lineages.
Main Methods:
- Examination of spinopelvic alignment in representative individuals from Australopithecus, Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis, and early Homo sapiens.
- Estimation and comparison of pelvic incidence, lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, and cervical lordosis with modern humans.
Main Results:
- Identified three distinct spinopelvic alignments: sinusoidal (H. erectus, H. sapiens), straight (Neanderthals), and compound (Australopithecus).
- Demonstrated that balanced upright posture is achievable through varied alignments, with each hominin group employing unique solutions.
Conclusions:
- Hominin evolution involved diverse strategies for achieving erect posture, influenced by pelvic changes and head equilibrium.
- Proposed the term 'cranio-spino-pelvic balance' to encompass the head's role in overall postural stability.