Bipedalism and human birth: The obstetrical dilemma revisited |
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Authors: | Karen Rosenberg Wenda Trevathan |
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Abstract: | …adaptation to bipedal locomotion decreased the size of the bony birth-canal at the same time that the exigencies of tool use selected for larger brains. This obstetrical dilemma was solved by delivery of the fetus at a much earlier stage of development. (Washburn1) …there can be no doubt that many of the obstetrical problems of Mrs. H. Sapiens are due to the combination of a narrower pelvis and a bigger head in the species. (Krogman2) |
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Keywords: | Birth obstetrics australopithecines Homo bipedalism |
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