bipedality
Standing on two
Bipedality is the condition of walking on two legs.
Humans exhibit bipedality; so do birds, though their anatomy differs considerably.
The term appears in scientific and anthropological contexts discussing locomotion and evolution: Bipedality freed the hands for tool use.
Also called bipedalism.
Extended single footstep
- walkingLocomotion on foot
- runningSwift foot travel
- heel strikeFoot's rear touching down
- toe-offGait's propulsive endpoint
Human-like primate family
- AustralopithecusExtinct hominin genus
- LucyFeminine name meaning light
- ArdipithecusEarliest known upright primate genus
- Homo sapiensScientific name for humans
human origins · fossils · skeletal structure · pelvis · spine curvature · upright posture · prehistoric · tool use
Bony basin at waist
- femurUpper leg bone
- spine curvatureBent vertebral column
- heelFoot's rear underside
- archesWeight-bearing curved spans
gluteal muscles · knee joint · ankle · metatarsals · sacrum · vertebral column · leg length · weight-bearing
Equilibrium point of mass
- equilibriumState of balance
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- postureBody position, alignment
- proprioceptionBody's spatial self-awareness
vestibular system · coordination · upright stance · weight distribution · core stability · counterbalance · dynamic balance · stabilization
Walking on bent fingers
- plantigradeWalking on full sole
- hoppingLeaping in succession
- saltationMovement by bounds
- kangarooPouched Australian leaper
stride
Extended single footstep
- walkingLocomotion on foot
- runningSwift foot travel
- heel strikeFoot's rear touching down
hominids
Human-like primate family
- AustralopithecusExtinct hominin genus
- LucyFeminine name meaning light
- ArdipithecusEarliest known upright primate genus
Homo sapiens · human origins · fossils · skeletal structure · pelvis · spine curvature · upright posture · prehistoric · tool use · knuckle-walking
pelvis
Bony basin at waist
- femurUpper leg bone
- spine curvatureBent vertebral column
- heelFoot's rear underside
arches · gluteal muscles · knee joint · ankle · metatarsals · sacrum · vertebral column · leg length · weight-bearing · tibia
center of gravity
Equilibrium point of mass
- equilibriumState of balance
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- postureBody position, alignment
proprioception · vestibular system · coordination · upright stance · weight distribution · core stability · counterbalance · dynamic balance · stabilization
knuckle-walking
Walking on bent fingers
- plantigradeWalking on full sole
- hoppingLeaping in succession
- saltationMovement by bounds
bipedalityslithering
Smooth limbless locomotion
undulation · swimming · crawling · brachiation · flying