The upper and lower extremities of humans are homologous, having a common evolutionary origin and basic plan, but their functions have diverged considerably over time. The lower extremity includes bones such as the pelvis (ilium, ischium, pubis), femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges. Differences in the shapes of male and female pelvises allow anthropologists to determine the sex of skeletal remains.

1. The upper and lower extremities of humans offer many interesting points of
comparison and of contrast. They and their individual components are
homologous—i.e., of a common origin and patterned on the same basic
plan. A long evolutionary history and profound changes in the function of
these two pairs of extremities have led, however, to considerable
differences between them. (3)

2. • lower extremity-
• Coxal (Pelvic Girdle)- What bones make up the Acetabelum? Howcan an anthropologist
tell the difference between a male and female?
• Ilium- Iliac crest, ASIS, AIIS, PSIS, PIIS, Greater Sciatic Notch
• Ishium- ishial tuberosity
• Pubis- Pubic Tubercle
• Femur- head, neck, greater trochanter, Lesser trochanter, condyles, epicondyles, trochlea
• Patella
• Tibia- condyles, Tibial Tuberosity, Tibial Plateau, Medial Malleolus
• Fibula- Head, Lateral malleolus
• Tarsals- Talus, Calcaneus, Navicular, (1,2,3) Cuneiforms, Cuboid
• Metatarsals- Long Bones Numbered I through V
• Phalanges- Proximal, Medial, Distal I through V

3. COXAL PELVIC GIRDLE
The ilium / pubis and ischium bones make up the Acetabelum.
Male Female
•narrower, heart-shaped pelvic inlet •open, circular pelvic inlet
•narrower sciatic notch •broader sciatic notch
•narrower angle where the two pubic bones in •wider angle where the two pubic bones meet in
front front
•more outwardly flared hip bones
This chart helps to explain how anthropologists can determine weather pelvic bones are
male of female. (1)

4. Female pelvic
bone
Male pelvic bone (1)

5. ISHIUM- ISHIAL TUBEROSITY
ISHIUM
• is a bone in pelvis: the lowest and rearmost of the three bones that
make up each half of the pelvis
PUBIS
• lower front of hipbone: the bone that forms the lower front section of
the hipbone in humans and is one of a pair joined at the front of the
pelvis.
ILIUM
• Ilium the uppermost of the three bones composing each half of the pelvis

6. FEMUR
• of thigh: relating to, in, or
involving the thigh or
femur

7. PATELLA
• middle joint of human leg: the joint of the human leg between the thigh and the lower leg,
where the femur and the tibia meet, covered in front by the kneecap patella

8. TIBIA
• inner bone of lower leg: the inner and larger of the two bones in the lower leg, extending
from the knee to the ankle bone alongside the fibula

9. FIBULA
• human leg bone: the outer and narrower of the two bones in the human lower leg between
the knee and ankle

10. TARSALS
• human leg bone: the outer and narrower of the two bones in the human lower leg between
the knee and ankle

11. METATARSALS
• Metatarsals- Long Bones Numbered I through V
• of foot bones: belonging or relating to the bones between the toes and ankle

12. PHALANGES
• Phalanges- Proximal, Medial, Distal I through V
• finger and toe bone: a finger or toe bone of a human being or vertebrate animal

14. • (1) http://anthropology.si.edu/writteninbone/male_female.htm
• http://quizlet.com/10090321/appendicular-skeleton-flash-cards/
• http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/547358/human-skeletal-system/41867/The-
appendicular-skeleton
• http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/547358/human-skeletal-system/41867/The-
appendicular-skeleton
• http://quizlet.com/10090321/appendicular-skeleton-flash-cards/l
• http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/547358/human-skeletal-system/41867/The-
appendicular-skeleton