Abstract
A sample of modern humans (601 males and 1117 females) from theurban area of Barcelona was studied. The age ranged from 0 to 21 years.Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to analyse the lum-bar region (L2-L4) of the individuals. From the DXA results, the meas-ured variables were: average length and width of the segment; posteriorprojected surface area; bone mineral density. Furthermore, the ratiolength/width was calculated. The corresponding growth trajectories ofthese variables were analysed by means of the Gompertz model. Both inmales and females length initial size was significantly higher than widthinitial size. The same happened with the initial growth rate, although themaximum initial growth rates are those corresponding to surface areaand density, in both cases in females. In both sexes width scaled fasterthan length. These results must be put in relation with the fact that bonegrowth takes place differently in length than in width. Sexual differencesin growth rate accounted only for a small proportion of the variation inlumbar segment length, mineral density, and surface area, but theyplayed an important role in the growth of the length/width ratio. Regard-ing the age at which a significant percentage (70%–90%) of adult size isattained, length of the lumbar segment presents an intermediate-very lategrowth, width a late-later timing pattern, and surface area and mineraldensity present a late-really late growth.
| Original language | English |
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| Title of host publication | Journal of Morphology |
| Pages | 1143 |
| Volume | 268 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2007 |
| Event | 8th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology - Paris, France Duration: 16 Jul 2007 → 21 Jul 2007 |
Conference
| Conference | 8th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | IVCM-8 |
| Country/Territory | France |
| City | Paris |
| Period | 16/07/07 → 21/07/07 |