Female Pelvic Variation, Its Causes and An Analysis of Six Populations

Female pelvic dimensions are enacted upon by multiple forces. I begin with the evolutionary processes that lead to the current shape of the female Homo sapiens pelvis. I then move to the causes of variation including sexual dimorphism, obstetrical constraints, climate, agriculture, and genetics. A case study of a female mummy from the Smithsonian Collection is included. The mummy was pregnant when she died. However, it is not possible to tell if obstructed labor was the cause of death or if she died during labor. Pelvic dimensions are measured and compared to other Egyptian females from the collections. While she is not fully adult (several growth plates are unfused including her humerus, iliac crest and ischial tuberosity) her pelvic dimensions would have allowed for delivery. Finally, I collected data on seven populations to demonstrate variation in female pelvic morphology. My original research uses geometric morphometric analyses to statistically compare seven different populations pelvic measurements. Comparisons of stature, body mass and pelvic dimensions are discussed as well as statistical differences found between populations. This research highlights and supports many aspects of other scientists’ current research and demonstrates the contributions of the above-mentioned factors shaping the female pelvis.

Author

• Margolis, Francine Elsa

Language

• en

Keyword

• Female
• Variation
• Obstetrics
• Pelvis

Date created

• 2020

Type of Work

• Master's Thesis

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Anthropology

Degree

• M.A.

Advisor

• Blomster, Dr. Jeffrey
• Hunt, Dr. David

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/sj139275f