Anatomy, Development, and Function of the Human Pelvis

Abstract

The pelvis is an anatomically complex and functionally informative bone that contributes directly to both human locomotion and obstetrics. Because of the pelvis' important role in obstetrics, it is one of the most sexually dimorphic bony elements of the human body. The complex intersection of pelvic dimorphism, locomotion, and obstetrics has been reenergized by exciting new research, and many papers in this special issue of the pelvis help provide clarity on the relationship between pelvic form (especially female) and locomotor function. Compared to the pelvis of our ape relatives, the human pelvis is uniquely shaped; it is superoinferiorly short and stout, and mediolaterally wide-critical adaptations for bipedalism that are already present in some form very early in the history of the hominin lineage. In this issue, 13 original research papers address the anatomy, development, variation, and function of the modern human pelvis, with implications for understanding the selection pressures that shaped and continue to shape this bone. This rich collection of scholarship moves our understanding of the pelvis forward, while raising dozens of new questions that we hope will serve as inspiration for colleagues and students (both current and future) puzzled by this fascinatingly complex bone. Anat Rec, 300:628-632,

Genetics of scapula and pelvis development: An evolutionary perspective

“…In bipeds, it plays additional roles in supporting the weight of the upper body during locomotion, and its bowl-shaped ilia, which form the superior pelvic girdle, provide a protective structure for the organs and tissues of the lower abdomen and pelvic cavity. Lastly, in humans the pelvis must remain wide enough to allow for a birth canal large enough to enable passage of a large-brained neonate (DeSilva & Rosenberg, 2017). …”

A Prism by Which to See How Humans Came to Be: The Anatomical Record Explores the Many Dimensions of the Human Pelvis

“…And so it has likely been ever since anatomists started pondering how this oddly shaped bone came to be. This month's The Anatomical Record , Guest Edited by Karen Rosenberg of the University of Delaware and Jeremy DeSilva of Dartmouth College, picks up the gauntlet nature has set before us in an extraordinary Special Issue aptly titled, “The Human Pelvis.” Due to the many approaches and perspectives taken to understand the pelvis and its functions – including posture, locomotion, organ support, reproductive, and birth functions – the Special Issue contains many contributions and therefore will be published in two parts, with this month's covering “Anatomy, function and development” (DeSilva and Rosenberg, , this issue) and next month, “Evolution.”…”

A Bone for All Seasons: The Human Pelvis

“…Due to the breadth and depth of topics to be covered in the remarkable Special Issue that they have put together, it will be presented in two parts. This first volume, presented here in the April issue (DeSilva and Rosenberg, ), will focus on “Anatomy Development and Function” while the second volume will appear in next month's May issue and focus on “Evolution.” Together, they will offer a multi‐dimensional view into state‐of‐the‐art science exploring the world of the human pelvis and how it came to be.…”