Variation in pelvic shape and size in Eastern European males: a computed tomography comparative study

Area of Science:

• Paleoanthropology
• Human Osteology
• Biomechanical Anthropology

Background:

• Human societal development and changes in body mass over the last millennium may impact bone morphology.
• Investigating pelvic shape and size variations between modern and medieval populations is crucial for understanding these changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze and compare pelvic shape and size variations in adult males from modern and medieval populations.
• To identify specific dimensional and morphological differences in the pelvis between these groups.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of 31 modern male pelves and 22 medieval male pelves from Poland.
• Measurement of key pelvic parameters including interspinous distance (ISD), intercristal distance (ICD), and iliac opening angle (IOA).
• Application of geometric morphometrics and 3D CT reconstructions to assess pelvic shape differences.

Main Results:

• Modern pelves exhibited significantly greater ISD, ICD, and IOA compared to medieval pelves.
• No significant differences were observed in intertuberous distance (ITD), anatomical conjugate, pelvis height (HP), or iliac tilt angle (ITA).
• Geometric morphometrics confirmed significant differences in pelvic shape, with modern pelves being larger, wider, and flatter.

Conclusions:

• Modern male pelves are characterized by increased width and a flatter morphology compared to their medieval counterparts.
• Changes in mechanical loading from daily activities and increased body mass are proposed as primary drivers of pelvic variability.
• Potential differences in ontogenesis and growth patterns between populations may also contribute to observed morphological variations.