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At least 595 records · Page 33Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Distal phocomelia of the forearm in a thirteenth-century skeleton from Poland.

The skeleton of a 35- to 40-year-old male (A.D. 1250 to 1300) with distal phocomelia (intercalary transverse) of the right forearm and severe (90-100 degrees) right-sided scoliosis is examined. Congenital malformation of the the right forearm resulted in absence of the radius and ulna, and attachment of the upper arm and hand to the trunk. Lesser abnormalities consist of a-hypoplastic right scapula and misshapened ribs and sternum. This rare deformity reflects the variability and antiquity of congenital malformations of the upper limb.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Neandertal incisor beveling.

In discussions of the Neandertals, there has been repeated emphasis on the accelerated rate of attrition and the frequent presence of labial beveling of their incisors. Interpretations of this dental attrition have related it to paramasticatory and dietary uses of their anterior teeth as well as to aspects of their facial morphology. In light of this, we examined the rate of beveling (the angle between the labial and incisal surfaces) of central incisors relative to tooth wear in samples of Neandertals, Inuits and Puebloan Amerindians. I1s show little change in the beveling angle with wear and no significant differences between the samples. I1s, however, exhibit a consistent pattern of increased beveling with dental attrition, progressing rapidly until the crown height approximates its labiolinguinal cervical diameter, and then proceeding at a slower rate. All three samples exhibit a similar pattern. However, the Neandertals have significantly greater beveling in more worn teeth than either recent human sample, and the Inuits have nonsignificantly increased beveling relative to the Puebloans in these more worn I1s. In this, it is the degree of development of beveling, not the pattern of beveling, which differentiates the Neandertals. It is hypothesized that the differences between the Neandertals and recent samples could be the product of: (1) contrast in initial incisor procumbency, (2) a labial separation of the maxillary and mandibular incisal occlusal surfaces during edge-to-edge bite, and/or (3) a greater degree of interproximal wear promoting increased "posterior tipping" of the maxillary incisors. The last appears most likely.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Lumbar anomalies in the Shanidar 3 Neandertal.

Recent examination of the Shanidar 3 remains revealed the presence of anomalous bilateral arthroses in the lumbar region. This paper describes this developmental anomaly, as well as several degenerative changes and offers potential etiologies. The Shanidar 3 remains represent an adult male Neandertal, approximately 35-50 years of age, dating to the Last Glacial. Although the partial skeleton is fragmentary, preserved elements include an almost complete set of ribs, portions of all thoracic vertebrae, all lumbar vertebrae, and the sacrum. Vertebral articulations from S1-T1 can be confidently assigned. The vertebra designated L1 is well preserved but lacks transverse processes. Instead, well defined bilateral articular surfaces, rather than transverse processes, are located on the pedicles. The skeletal elements associated with the anomalous L1 articulations were not recovered. The most likely interpretation is that the arthroses in question represent the facets for a 13th pair of ribs, a rare condition in modern hominid populations. Such lumbar developmental anomalies are an infrequent expression of a larger complex of cranial-caudal border shifting seen in the vertebral column. These shifts result in a change in the usual boundaries between the distinctive vertebral regions and are responsible for the majority of variability present in the vertebral column.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Cranial discrete traits in the middle pleistocene humans from Sima de los Huesos (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain). Does hypostosis represent any increase in "ontogenetic stress" along the Neanderthal lineage?

Cranial discrete traits may be regarded as markers of dynamic responses to general and local perturbations of the morphogenetic pattern, particularly when they are viewed and examined in terms of hypostosis vs. hyperostosis. There are indications, in fact, that the variation between these two opposite conditions relates to mechanical stress suffered by the bony structures during early stages of growth and development. In a previous comparison between Neanderthals and modern humans, variable degrees and contrasting distribution patterns of hypostosis were found [Manzi et al. (1996), JHE30: 511-527]. In the present paper, the occurrence, expression and cranial distribution of 20 hypo-hyperostotic traits are examined in the Middle Pleistocene sample from Atapuerca - Sima de los Huesos (Spain), with the principal aim being to test whether or not the degree of cranial hypostosis increases during the evolution of the Neanderthals. Other Middle Pleistocene representatives of the genus Homo (Kabwe and Petralona), the Italian Neanderthals, and a large recent European sample are also considered. A general consistency between the gradual appearance and stabilization of the Neanderthal cranial features and the results of the present analysis is found and is interpreted as an indication that hypostosis does mark the occurrence of "ontogenetic stress". As suggested more than half a century ago by S. Sergi, an increase in "ontogenetic stress" in the Neanderthal lineage could result from the relationship between intracranial pressures and other (heterochronic) effects produced by the growth of a large brain (encephalization) and the ossification of an archaic (platycephalic) cranial vault.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Enamel hypoplasia in the deciduous teeth of early Miocene catarrhines: evidence of perinatal physiological stress.

Enamel hypoplasia (EH) is a deficiency in enamel thickness due to physiological insults that compromise ameloblast function during the secretory phase of amelogenesis. The prevalence of EH in the deciduous teeth of nonhuman primates is largely unknown. One exception is the recent discovery of EH in the deciduous teeth of extant great apes which exhibit significant differences in prevalence between genera (Lukacs, 1999 a, 2000 a, Am. J. phys. Anthrop.110, 351-363). EH in deciduous teeth of other primates, living and fossil, remain undocumented. This communication describes a "plane form" type of EH known as localized hypoplasia of primary canines (LHPC) (Skinner, 1986 a, Am. J. phys. Anthrop.69, 59-69) in early Miocene catarrhines from Kenya. Specimens were examined macroscopically, with a 10x hand lens and with a variable power (10-30x) binocular microscope. Fédération Dentaire International (FDI)/Defects of Dental Enamel (DDE) standards were employed in recognition and recording of enamel defects (Fédération Dentaire International, 1982, Int. Dent. J.32, 159-167; Clarkson, 1989, Adv. Dental Res.3, 104-109). Size, shape and location of defects were measured and recorded on an outline drawing of the tooth crown. The Kenya National Museum study sample includes six genera of early Miocene catarrhines (n=66 specimens, with n=80 teeth). Seven deciduous teeth were afflicted with EH, yielding an overall prevalence of 8.75%. Two taxa, Kalepithecus (n=1 deciduous canine) and Proconsul (n=3 deciduous canines), were affected with LHPC. Expression of LHPC in fossil catarrhines is consistent with the expression of EH observed in skeletal samples of extant great apes. This report establishes an approximately 17-23 Ma antiquity for EH among early catarrhines and suggests that the neonatal stage of ontogenetic development was sufficiently stressful physiologically to produce disruption in amelogenesis. These physiological stresses impacted neonates of fossil taxa with a wide range of adult body sizes, from large-bodied Proconsul major ( approximately 75 kg) to one of the smaller-bodied catarrhines, Kalepithecus ( approximately 5 kg).

Animals↗
PubMed1978

[An osseus tumor in the skull of a precolumbian indian from Peru (author's transl)].

A walnut-sized, stalked, osseus tumor in the region of the protuberantia occipitalis externa of the skull of a precolumbian indian from Peru is described. Radiological and histological examinations grouped this neoplasm with the fibro-osseus tumors. Cytologically, it is one of the rarely seen nearly compact forms of the large, mostly spongy osteomas of the skull roof.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1975

An introduction to diagnostic criteria of syphilis, treponarid and yaws (treponematoses) in dry bones, and some implications.

Diagnostic criteria of syphilis and some other diseases are proposed from a study of 424 crania and calvariae and 250 long bones in 22 medical museums in Europe. Yaws bone lesions in Uganda and changes in Australian aboriginal bones also contributed to the establishment of these criteria. Any deductions about disease in the past or isolated populations must depend upon acceptable diagnostic criteria; post mortem damage must be recognised. In crania and calvariae the sequence of changes of Virchow's caries sicca, and in long bones nodes/expansions with superficial cavitation are sound indicators of syphilis, and of yaws and treponarid in relevant geographical areas. Attention is called to the cause of sequestra in European calvariae labelled syphilis, the absence of sequestra due to haematogenous pyogenic osteomyelitis in Australian and other aboriginal bones and possibly in Europe before the Middle Ages. The number of bones with diagnostic criteria needed to demonstrate the endemicity of a particular infection in a past community is discussed. There is also need for an extensive application of diagnostic criteria of syphilis to pre-Columbian or pre-European bones everywhere. The uncertain future of old dry diseased bones in medical museums, and the need for reference centres to provide sound advice and guidance in palaeopathology are stressed.

Bone and Bones↗
PubMed1984

Neurosurgical pathology in prehistory.

This is a concise study of the prehistorical trepanation which we have interpreted on the basis of our personal experience from the examination of more than three thousand skulls. We have also inquired into the reasons that have given rise to trepanation, and at the same time have tried to clarify some of the inconsistencies of this subject. The study includes reference to the pathological lesions that are more frequent in the prehistorical skulls. In iconography there are few samples of these lesions in which the diagnosis is very difficult.

Asia↗
PubMed1991

Nutrient foramina in the shafts of lower limb long bones: situation and number.

The location and number of the diaphysial dominant nutrient foramina in 305 specimens of the human lower limb long bones were examined. The diaphysial nutrient foramina on the femur were located at between 26.7-84.4% of the total length; while on the tibia between 11.0-67.2%; and on the fibula between 29.8-67.8% of the total length. The number of the diaphysial nutrient foramina and their distribution on the faces of each bone was also studied.

Femur↗