Steatopygia

Steatopygia is the state of having substantial levels of tissue on the buttocks and thighs leading to a protruding 90-degree angled appearance and accompanied by lordosis. This build is not confined to the gluteal regions, but extends to the outside and front of the thighs, and tapers to the knee producing a curvilinear figure. The term is from the Greek stéar (στέαρ), meaning "tallow", and pugḗ (πυγή), meaning "rump". Modern understanding of steatopygia is not connected solely to genetic markers. Historical perspective on race-influenced steatopygia was used for sexualizing people such as "Hottentot Venus". Steatopygia, a genetic phenotype leading to increased accumulation of adipose tissue in the buttock region, is most notably found among the Khoisan of Southern Africa. It has also been observed among Pygmies of Central Africa and the Andamanese people, such as the Onge tribe in the Andaman Islands. Cave and shelter paintings show that the trait existed among European and North African populations during the Upper Paleolithic. This genetic characteristic is prevalent among women but occurs to a lesser degree in men. It has been suggested that this feature was once more widespread. Paleolithic Venus figurines, sometimes referred to as "Steatopygian Venus" figures, discovered from Europe to Asia presenting a remarkable development of the thighs, and even the prolongation of the labia minora, have been used to support this theory. Whether these were intended to be lifelike, exaggeratory, or idealistic is unclear. These figures, however, may not qualify as steatopygian, since they exhibit an angle of approximately 120 degrees between the back and the buttocks, while steatopygia is typically described with an angle of about 90 degrees only. The dynamics of biomechanical movement will differ depending on the pelvic morphology by the same principle. The fascia anatomy of the sides of the sacral diamond area, which...