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Related Concept Videos

Overview of the Axial Skeleton01:09

Overview of the Axial Skeleton

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The skeleton is subdivided into two major divisions—the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton forms the vertical, central axis of the body. It includes all of the bones of the head, neck, chest, and back. It protects the brain, spinal cord, heart, and lungs. It also serves as the attachment site for muscles that move the head, neck, and back and for muscles that act across the shoulder and hip joints to move their corresponding limbs.
The axial skeleton of the...
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Classification of Bones01:18

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The bones of the human skeletal system are of varied shapes, sizes, and functions. They can be classified based on their shape and function into four major classes: long bones, short bones, flat bones, and irregular bones. Some classifications include a fifth type, the sesamoid bones, as a separate class, whereas others categorize them under short bones.
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Overview of the Skull01:08

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The cranium (skull) is the skeletal structure of the head that supports the face and protects the brain. It is subdivided into the facial bones and the brain case, or cranial vault. The facial bones underlie the facial structures, form the nasal cavity, enclose the eyeballs, and support the teeth of the upper and lower jaws.
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Axial and Appendicular Muscles01:18

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Skeletal muscles, the key players in our body's movement, can be classified into two groups based on their location and function: axial muscles and appendicular muscles. These classifications reflect the primary roles the muscles play in the body's structure and movement.
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Cranial Bones: Lateral View01:27

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The lateral view of the cranium is dominated by temporal, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones.
The temporal bone forms the lower lateral side of the skull. The temporal bone is subdivided into several regions. The flattened upper portion is the squamous portion of the temporal bone. Below this area and projecting anteriorly is the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which forms the posterior portion of the zygomatic arch. Posteriorly is the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. Projecting...
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Sutures of the Skull01:22

Sutures of the Skull

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The human skull is composed of several bones that come together to protect the brain and support the structures of the face. The junctions where these bones meet are called sutures.
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Morphological modularity in the anthropoid axial skeleton.

Hyunwoo Jung1, Noreen von Cramon-Taubadel2

  • 1Buffalo Human Evolutionary Morphology Lab, Department of Anthropology, University at Buffalo, SUNY, 380 Academic Center, Ellicott Complex, Buffalo, NY 14261, USA; Department of Anatomy, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, 19555 N 59th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA.

Journal of Human Evolution
|September 26, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Hominoids exhibit greater axial skeletal modularity than other anthropoids, indicating less constraint on torso and skull evolution. This suggests increased evolutionary independence for these traits in human ancestors.

Keywords:
HomininsHominoidsMorphological evolutionSkullVertebrae

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Comparative anatomy
  • Paleoanthropology

Background:

  • Hominoids display limb element modularity, implying evolutionary independence in limb proportions.
  • Modularity of the axial skeleton in anthropoids remains understudied.
  • Understanding axial modularity impacts theories on torso and skull evolution in apes and hominins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate axial skeletal modularity across diverse anthropoid genera.
  • To determine if hominoids possess greater axial skeletal modularity compared to other anthropoids.
  • To explore implications for the evolution of cranial and vertebral novelties in fossil hominins.

Main Methods:

  • Sampled 12 anthropoid genera for axial skeletal analysis.
  • Calculated covariance ratio coefficients using variance/covariance matrices.
  • Analyzed interlandmark distances for cranium, mandible, vertebrae, and sacrum.

Main Results:

  • Alouatta, Hylobates, Gorilla, Pan, and Homo exhibited stronger modularity across all axial elements.
  • Alouatta, Hylobates, Gorilla, and Pan showed stronger modularity in vertebral elements.
  • Humans demonstrated enhanced modularity between skull and vertebrae compared to other hominoids.

Conclusions:

  • Hominoids possess greater axial skeletal modularity, suggesting reduced evolutionary constraints.
  • Dissociation of trait covariation in axial elements fostered evolutionary independence in hominoid ancestors.
  • This modularity may have facilitated the evolution of novel cranial and vertebral characteristics in fossil hominins.