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Mammal Hip Morphology and Function: Coxa Recta and Coxa Rotunda
Author(s) -
Bouma Heinse W.,
De Boer Stefan F.,
De Vos John,
Van Kampen Paulien M.,
Hogervorst Tom
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the anatomical record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.678
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1932-8494
pISSN - 1932-8486
DOI - 10.1002/ar.22634
Subject(s) - anatomy , femoral head , ossification , coxa vara , femoral neck , mammal , marine mammal , biology , medicine , femur , pathology , surgery , zoology , osteoporosis , fishery
Abstract Using 15 parameters, we provide a systematic description of mammal proximal femoral morphology. We established two types of proximal femoral morphology, termed coxa recta and coxa rotunda, characterized by low versus high concavity of the head–neck junction. Concavity is a measure of the sphericity of the femoral head as it meets the femoral neck that can be quantified by angular measurements. We asked whether the parameter of concavity corresponds with the classification of mammal proximal femoral morphology based on coalesced versus separate ossification patterns and locomotor patterns. Statistical analysis demonstrated a distinction between coxa recta and coxa rotunda with significant differences between the two groups in all but 3 of the 15 parameters examined. We found the most discriminating measurement between mammal hips to be the concavity of the posterior head–neck junction (beta angle). Coxa recta (small concavity) and coxa rotunda (large concavity) relate to the ossification pattern seen in proximal femoral development, and species‐specific patterns of locomotion. We interpret the two hip types to reflect optimization for strength (recta) versus mobility (rotunda). Conceptually, both hip types can be recognized in humans, where coxa recta can be related to the development of osteoarthritis. Anat Rec, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.