kaksijäteen

Kaksijäteen is a Finnish term that translates to "two-limbed" or "bipedal." It is primarily used in a biological context to describe animals that walk on two legs. The most common examples of kaksijäteen animals are humans, who are obligate bipeds, meaning they exclusively use two legs for locomotion. Other animals, such as birds and some extinct dinosaurs, are also considered kaksijäteen, though their bipedalism may be facultative, meaning they can walk on two legs but also use their forelimbs for other purposes or for quadrupedal movement.

The evolution of bipedalism in humans is a significant area of study in paleoanthropology. It is believed to have conferred several advantages, including freeing up the hands for tool use and carrying, improved visibility over tall grass, and increased efficiency in long-distance travel. The skeletal adaptations for bipedalism in humans include changes in the pelvis, femur, feet, and spine.

In broader usage, the term kaksijäteen can sometimes be applied metaphorically to refer to something that is unbalanced or not fully supported, though this is less common. The primary and most widely understood meaning of kaksijäteen remains its biological definition related to locomotion on two limbs.