upprättstående

Upprättstående is a term used primarily in anatomy, biology and anthropology to describe the state or condition of being upright or vertical, typically involving standing on two legs with the body’s weight supported by the lower limbs. In Swedish usage it denotes both the posture itself and the capacity for erect stance, often in contrast to sitting or lying down.

In humans, upright posture reflects a set of structural and neuromuscular adaptations that enable bipedal locomotion. Key anatomical features include the alignment of the spine with natural curvatures (cervical and lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis), a pelvis positioned to support balance and weight transfer, and lower limbs adapted for standing and walking—such as a valgus knee alignment and an arched foot. The center of gravity is maintained over the feet through coordinated muscle activity and reflexes.

From an evolutionary perspective, the emergence of upright stance is a defining trait of hominins and is linked to changes in skull base position, pelvic and limb morphology, and locomotor strategies. Fossil evidence suggests a gradual shift toward habitual bipedalism over millions of years, with varying degrees of efficiency and stability across different species.

In medicine and physiology, maintaining an upright posture requires cardiovascular and nervous system adjustments to counteract gravity, especially when moving from lying down to standing. Orthostatic changes can lead to dizziness or low blood pressure in some individuals, highlighting the functional importance of orthostatic regulation in daily life.

In zoology, upprättstående describes the ability to assume an upright position, which occurs to varying degrees across species, most notably in humans and some primates. It is distinct from, but related to, general concepts of posture and locomotion.