Bones fulfill a variety of functions, including the task of providing storage for nutrients, as well as support for the body as a whole (Bikle and Halloran 1999; Curry 2006; Pearson and Lieberman 2004; Swartz 1989). In order to accomplish those tasks, the skeletal system must have the capability to both withstand and successfully respond to internal and external pressure (Pearson and Lieberman 2004; Swartz 1989). Specifically, stature and weight, in relation to positional behavior, are understood to be the fundamental sources of stress (Hamrick 1996; Swartz 1989). In turn, those causes of strain arguably have a strong influence upon the primary ability of the skeleton to provide structural support (Swartz 1989:442). This project focuses
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Researchers consistently depend upon skeletal remains in order to make a number of predictions regarding the behavioral characteristics of specific extinct and extant species (Pearson and Lieberman 2004). In an effort to test those assumptions, it is initially important to understand one particular discussion regarding the mechanisms underlying the construction of the skeletal system (Pearson and Lieberman 2004). Wolff’s Law (Ruff et al. 2006) suggests that the construction of bone tissue is a response to variable pressure (Bikle and Halloran 1999; Lieberman et. al. 2001). As a result, it has contributed to the understanding that, with reference to internal bone composition, …show more content…
2001; Ruff and Runestad 1992). Regardless of the parameters restricting significant articular expansion, however, specific skeletal regions must still react to mechanical variables, including body mass and height (Pearson and Lieberman 2004; Swartz 1989). Inherent within that statement is the notion that the bony regions that deal with the loads created during movement are not permanently fixed in size (McNab 1990; Pearson and Lieberman 2004; Swartz 1989). Rather, when addressing weight-bearing areas, the external structure of those regions is plausibly linked to the degree of support they provide (Lieberman et al. 2001; Swartz
Researchers consistently depend upon skeletal remains in order to make a number of predictions regarding the behavioral characteristics of specific extinct and extant species (Pearson and Lieberman 2004). In an effort to test those assumptions, it is initially important to understand one particular discussion regarding the mechanisms underlying the construction of the skeletal system (Pearson and Lieberman 2004). Wolff’s Law (Ruff et al. 2006) suggests that the construction of bone tissue is a response to variable pressure (Bikle and Halloran 1999; Lieberman et. al. 2001). As a result, it has contributed to the understanding that, with reference to internal bone composition, …show more content…
2001; Ruff and Runestad 1992). Regardless of the parameters restricting significant articular expansion, however, specific skeletal regions must still react to mechanical variables, including body mass and height (Pearson and Lieberman 2004; Swartz 1989). Inherent within that statement is the notion that the bony regions that deal with the loads created during movement are not permanently fixed in size (McNab 1990; Pearson and Lieberman 2004; Swartz 1989). Rather, when addressing weight-bearing areas, the external structure of those regions is plausibly linked to the degree of support they provide (Lieberman et al. 2001; Swartz