Foramen Magnum - Importance

Importance

In humans, the foramen magnum is farther underneath the head than in great apes. Thus, in humans, the neck muscles (including the occipitofrontalis muscle) do not need to be as robust in order to hold the head upright. Comparisons of the position of the foramen magnum in early hominid species are useful to determine how comfortable a particular species was when walking on two limbs (bipedalism) rather than four (quadrupedalism).

Read more about this topic:  Foramen Magnum

Famous quotes containing the word importance:

    Any novel of importance has a purpose. If only the “purpose” be large enough, and not at outs with the passional inspiration.
    —D.H. (David Herbert)

    “I’m sure you’ve often wished there was an after-life.” Of course I had, I told him. Everybody has that wish at times. But that had no more importance than wishing to be rich, or to swim very fast, or to have a better-shaped mouth.
    Albert Camus (1913–1960)

    The moment Germany rises as a great power, France gains a new importance as a cultural power.
    Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)