Deconstructing ‘Parturition Scars’: An Osteoarchaeological assessment on the contributing factors of Pelvic features, beyond Parity.

Numerous studies regarding ‘Parturition scars’ continue to concern the scientific community. These characteristics have been seen as changes by the event of pregnancy and/ or parturition, on the pelvic bones. Today, a significant alteration on the name of the term has concluded, to them being referred to as ‘pelvic features’. The aim of this study is to research the correlation of the measurements of the pelvis and the sacrum with the presence or absence of the pelvic features and to test the measurement which appears to be correlating more with presence of the features along with their causation of formation. To test this correlation a sample of 44 young and middle-aged adult (21 females and 23 males) individuals form Delft, the Netherlands is assessed for all the pelvic features. The features, preauricular sulcus, dorsal and ventral pubic pitting, iliac tuberosity, extended pubic tubercle, interosseous groove, margo auricularis groove and sacral preauricular extension, were...Show moreNumerous studies regarding ‘Parturition scars’ continue to concern the scientific community. These characteristics have been seen as changes by the event of pregnancy and/ or parturition, on the pelvic bones. Today, a significant alteration on the name of the term has concluded, to them being referred to as ‘pelvic features’. The aim of this study is to research the correlation of the measurements of the pelvis and the sacrum with the presence or absence of the pelvic features and to test the measurement which appears to be correlating more with presence of the features along with their causation of formation. To test this correlation a sample of 44 young and middle-aged adult (21 females and 23 males) individuals form Delft, the Netherlands is assessed for all the pelvic features. The features, preauricular sulcus, dorsal and ventral pubic pitting, iliac tuberosity, extended pubic tubercle, interosseous groove, margo auricularis groove and sacral preauricular extension, were examined in relation to their prevalence in the population of the sample as well the occurrence rates between male and female individuals. The results were statistically analyzed and showed presence of the features in both sexes, more frequently in females. Differences of the features appeared between the sexes. In this study, the only result which was statistically significant refers to the presence of PAS with MIB measurement. The measurement was significantly smaller in individuals who presented the feature that in individuals without it. According to the results, the Anterior height of the sacrum was significantly differentiated according to the presence of the interosseous groove. In our sample, individuals who did not have the feature present gave significantly higher anterior measurement of the sacrum. In general, the presence of pelvic features may be a result of a conglomeration of factors. Factors which can influence the manifestation of pelvic features can be age, body and pelvic size, sex, environmental, genetic, hormonal, mechanical changes and parity or parturition. In male populations, where the body size is considered bigger, pelves are more compact, to serve locomotion and hard labour. Because of this compactness and less flexibility of the male pelves, the ligaments attach more, to transfer the weight of the abdomen, which results in the formation of features.Show less

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Deconstructing ‘Parturition Scars’: An Osteoarchaeological assessment on the contributing factors of Pelvic features, beyond Parity.