Humeral torsion and retroversion in the literature: A reply to Larson

Rhodes, Jill A.

doi:10.1002/ajpa.20552

Cited by 9 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…In mature humeri, the proximal midhumeral axis bisects the proximal articular surface, dividing it into anterior and posterior halves, and the distal articular axis passes through the center of the capitulum and trochlea Kate, 1968;Rhodes, 2006). Recently, confusion has resulted from the wide variety of methods used to quantify and report this measurement within the historical anthropological and recent clinical literature (Larson, 2007;Rhodes, 2007). Unlike previous anthropological research, this study does not take an evolutionary approach to the investigation of humeral torsion, and follows the standard of measurement set by Rhodes (2006).…”

Section: Materials and Methods Quantification Of Humeral Torsionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Humeral torsion revisited: A functional and ontogenetic model for populational variation

Cowgill

2007

American J Phys Anthropol

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Anthropological interest in humeral torsion has a long history, and several functional explanations for observed variation in the orientation of the humeral head have been proposed. Recent clinical studies have revived this topic by linking patterns of humeral torsion to habitual activities such as overhand throwing. However, the precise functional implications and ontogenetic history of humeral torsion remain unclear. This study examines the ontogeny of humeral torsion in a large sample of primarily immature remains from six different skeletal collections (n = 407). The results of this research confirm that humeral torsion displays consistent developmental variation within all populations of growing children; neonates display relatively posteriorly oriented humeral heads, and the level of torsion declines steadily into adulthood. As in adults, variation in the angle of humeral torsion in immature individuals varies by population, and these differences arise early in development. However, when examined in the context of the developing muscles of the shoulder complex, it becomes apparent that variation in the angle of humeral torsion is not necessarily related to specific habitual activities. Variability in this feature is more likely caused by a generalized functional imbalance between muscles of medial and lateral rotation that can be produced by a wide variety of upper limb activity patterns during growth.

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Section: Materials and Methods Quantification Of Humeral Torsionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Humeral torsion revisited: A functional and ontogenetic model for populational variation

Cowgill

2007

American J Phys Anthropol

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“…We disagree. Many studies have shown that torsion levels are lower in the dominant, throwing arm (Pieper, 1998;Crockett et al, 2002;Osbahr et al, 2002;Reagan et al, 2002;Whiteley et al, 2006;Rhodes, 2007;Myers et al, 2009Myers et al, , 2011Roach et al, 2012). Individuals with lower torsion store more elastic energy in the soft tissues of their shoulder and use that stored energy to produce faster throws (Roach et al, 2013;Roach and Lieberman, 2014;Fig.…”

Section: A Clinical Digressionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Humeral torsion does not dictate shoulder position, but does influence throwing speed

Roach

Richmond

2015

Journal of Human Evolution

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“…Amongst the morphological features of the proximal humerus in hominoids, humeral torsion has received the most attention in studies of functional morphology (Larson, , , ; Cowgill, ; Rhodes, ). Traditionally, torsion is considered as an accommodation to the repositioning of the scapula onto the dorsal aspect of the transversely wide rib cage of the hominoids (Larson, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In humans, torsion seems to be related to manipulative skills, although differences in humeral torsion exist between modern western and non‐western populations, the latter showing lower degrees of humeral torsion and, therefore, a higher degree of humeral retroversion (Larson, ). There is some confusion concerning the use of the terms humeral torsion and humeral retroversion in the literature (Larson, ; Rhodes, ). In the primitive condition of the humerus, the proximal epiphysis faces the posterior aspect of the shaft, a condition that is present in non‐hominoid primates (Larson, , ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

3D geometric morphometric analysis of the proximal epiphysis of the hominoid humerus

et al. 2012

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In this study we perform a three-dimensional geometric morphometric (3D GM) analysis of the proximal epiphysis of the humerus in extant great apes, including humans, in order to accurately describe the functional anatomical differences between these taxa. In addition, a fossil hominin specimen of Australopithecus afarensis was included in a multivariate GM analysis in order to test the potential of this methodological approach for making locomotor inferences from fossil remains. The results obtained show significant differences in proximal humeral morphology among the taxa studied, which had thus far largely remained unnoticed. Based on morphofunctional considerations, these anatomical differences can be correlated to differences in the locomotor repertoires of the taxa, thus confirming that the proximal humerus is suitable for constructing paleobiological inferences about locomotion. Modern humans display markedly divergent features, which set them apart from both the extant great apes and the fossil hominin A. afarensis. The morphology of the proximal epiphysis of the humerus of the latter more closely resembles that of the orangutans, thus suggesting that despite hindlimb adaptations to bipedalism, the forelimb of this taxon was still functionally involved in arboreal behaviors, such as climbing or suspension.

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Humeral torsion and retroversion in the literature: A reply to Larson

Cited by 9 publications

References 5 publications

Humeral torsion revisited: A functional and ontogenetic model for populational variation

Humeral torsion revisited: A functional and ontogenetic model for populational variation

Humeral torsion does not dictate shoulder position, but does influence throwing speed

3D geometric morphometric analysis of the proximal epiphysis of the hominoid humerus

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