Comparative Digital Examination of the Talocrural (ankle) Joint Provides Insight into Human bipedal locomotion

Locomotion strategies across human evolution are a prominent topic of discussion. The talocrural joint, a major weight-bearing ankle joint, is a feature of this discussion since all animals, including humans and our ancestors, have different functional requirements depending on locomotor modality. These requirements, featuring flexion and extension of the foot, are reflected in morphology of the bones that comprise the talocrural joint (tibia, fibula, and talus). Using a high resolution 3-dimensional laser scanner (FARO Arm EDGE), digital models of these bones from a sample of humans (N=19), fossil hominins (4.4 million year old Ardipithecus ramidus, 3.2 Ma Australopithecus afarensis, 1.8 Ma Homo habilis), non-human primates (N=29), ursids (n=3), and felids (n=2) were created and shapes of the talocrural joint surfaces were analyzed to identify locomotor patterns. Locomotor modality was identifiable through orientation of the joint surfaces and various morphological traits. Body size was also considered as another factor in morphology.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Sciences

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Grantor dc:publisher

Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Zimmerman, Allison M.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Simpson, Scott
• Burns, Jean

• Biology
• Physical Anthropology
• bipedal
• locomotion
• talocrural
• three dimensional
• 3D
• ankle
• hominin
• Ardipithecus ramidus
• Australopithecus afarensis
• Australopithecus africanus

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1365158588

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:case1365158588