Metacarpal torsion in apes, humans, and early Australopithecus: implications for manipulatory abilities.

ABSTRACT: Human hands, when compared to that of apes, have a series of adaptations to facilitate manipulation. Numerous studies have shown that Australopithecus afarensis and Au. africanus display some of these adaptations, such as a longer thumb relative to the other fingers, asymmetric heads on the second and fifth metacarpals, and orientation of the second metacarpal joints with the trapezium and capitate away from the sagittal plane, while lacking others such as a very mobile fifth metacarpal, a styloid process on the third, and a flatter metacarpo-trapezium articulation, suggesting some adaptation to manipulation but more limited than in humans. This paper explores variation in metacarpal torsion, a trait said to enhance manipulation, in humans, apes, early australopithecines and specimens from

SUBMITTER: Drapeau MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4614803 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature