Abstract
This study investigates cross sectional growth patterns in the human skeleton using a recent skeletal sample of known age and sex. Measurements were selected to reflect different functional regions of the cranium, mandible and post cranial skeleton, and growth is evaluated using a single phase Gompertz curve. Different parts of the skeleton vary in the proportion of adult size attained at birth and in their subsequent rate of attainment of adult size. The paper introduces a method for the objective and quantitative comparison of the growth of different samples, and is used in this instance to analyze sexual differences in the growth of the post cranial skeleton. The development of sexual dimorphism is evaluated in terms of differences in the rate and duration of male and female growth. Adult sexual dimorphism is generally lower in early growing variables than in later-growing variables. There is considerable diversity in the ontogenetic basis of sexual dimorphism in the human skeleton demonstrating that the development of sexual dimorphism within a species should not be regarded as a uniform phenomenon.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.