Question

Bipedalism required several anatomical changes, these can be identified clearly when we compared the skeleton of a chimpanzee and one of a human. What characteristics are usually associated with bipedalism?

a. Skull attaches inferiorly to the spine

b. Femur angled out

c. Arms longer than legs for balance

d. L-Shape curvature in the spine

Answer 1

Option b-Femur angled out.

Anatomical evidence of bipedalism include-

1.Presence of a bicondylar angle or valgus knee

2.Foramen magnum placed inferior to skull

3.Presence of a nonopposable big toe

4.Higher arch on foot

5.Posterior orientation of the anterior portion of the iliac blade

6.Larger femoral head diameter,increased femoral neck length,

7.Larger & anteroposteriorly elongated condyles of the femur.

**In bipedalist Like humans-shaft of the femur orients downward & medially toward the midline .So knees are held close together which forms an angle from the knee to the hip joint.