Textbook Question
Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.
b. The superior border of the pelvic bone is the iliac crest.
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7. The Skeletal System
The Pelvic Girdle
2:42 minutesProblem 26
Textbook Question
Investigators find the pelvis of a human and are able to identify the sex, the relative age, and some physical characteristics of the person. How is this possible from only the pelvis?
Verified step by step guidance1
Examine the overall shape of the pelvis: The pelvis differs significantly between males and females due to adaptations for childbirth. A male pelvis is narrower and more robust, while a female pelvis is wider and has a larger pelvic inlet and outlet to accommodate childbirth.
Analyze the subpubic angle: The subpubic angle is the angle formed below the pubic symphysis. In males, this angle is typically less than 90 degrees, while in females, it is greater than 90 degrees.
Inspect the sacrum and coccyx: The sacrum in males is longer, narrower, and more curved, while in females, it is shorter, wider, and less curved to allow for a larger birth canal. The coccyx in females is more flexible and positioned differently.
Assess the relative age: The pelvis undergoes changes with age, such as the fusion of the pelvic bones (ilium, ischium, and pubis) and the appearance of age-related wear and tear, including arthritic changes or ossification patterns.
Evaluate physical characteristics: Features such as muscle attachment sites, bone density, and overall robustness can provide clues about the individual's physical activity level, health, and lifestyle.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Sexual Dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism refers to the differences in size, shape, and structure between male and female individuals of the same species. In humans, the pelvis exhibits distinct characteristics that can indicate sex, such as the width of the pelvic inlet and the angle of the pubic arch, which are generally broader in females to accommodate childbirth.
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Age Estimation from Skeletal Remains
Age estimation from skeletal remains involves analyzing specific features of bones that change with age. In the pelvis, factors such as the fusion of pelvic bones and the morphology of the acetabulum can provide clues about the individual's age at death, as these features develop and change throughout a person's life.
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Morphological Analysis
Morphological analysis is the study of the form and structure of organisms. In forensic anthropology, this analysis of the pelvis can reveal physical characteristics such as stature and robustness, which are inferred from measurements and the overall shape of the pelvic bones, allowing investigators to reconstruct aspects of the individual's physical appearance.
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