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Figus C, Stephens NB, Sorrentino R, Bortolini E, Arrighi S, Higgins OA, Lugli F, Marciani G, Oxilia G, Romandini M, Silvestrini S, Baruffaldi F, Belcastro MG, Bernardini F, Festa A, Hajdu T, Mateovics‐László O, Pap I, Szeniczey T, Tuniz C, Ryan TM, Benazzi S. Morphologies in-between: The impact of the first steps on the human talus. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2023; 306:124-142. [PMID: 35656925 PMCID: PMC10083965 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The development of bipedalism is a very complex activity that contributes to shaping the anatomy of the foot. The talus, which starts ossifying in utero, may account for the developing stages from the late gestational phase onwards. Here, we explore the early development of the talus in both its internal and external morphology to broaden the knowledge of the anatomical changes that occur during early development. MATERIALS AND METHODS The sample consists of high-resolution microCT scans of 28 modern juvenile tali (from 36 prenatal weeks to 2 years), from a broad chronological range from the Late Roman period to the 20th century. We applied geometric morphometric and whole-bone trabecular analysis to investigate the early talar morphological changes. RESULTS In the youngest group (<6 postnatal months), the immature external shell is accompanied by an isotropic internal structure, with thin and densely packed trabeculae. After the initial attempts of locomotion, bone volume fraction decreases, while anisotropy and trabecular thickness increase. These internal changes correspond to the maturation of the external shell, which is now more defined and shows the development of the articular surfaces. DISCUSSION The internal and external morphology of the human talus reflects the diverse load on the foot during the initial phases of the bipedal locomotion, with the youngest group potentially reflecting the lack of readiness of the human talus to bear forces and perform bipedal walking. These results highlight the link between mechanical loading and bone development in the human talus during the acquisition of bipedalism, providing new insight into the early phases of talar development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Figus
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
| | - Nicholas B. Stephens
- Department of AnthropologyPennsylvania State UniversityState CollegePennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Rita Sorrentino
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences – BigeaUniversity of BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - Eugenio Bortolini
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
- Human Ecology and Archaeology (HUMANE)IMF, CSI0CBarcelonaSpain
| | - Simona Arrighi
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
| | - Owen A. Higgins
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
| | - Federico Lugli
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
| | - Giulia Marciani
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
- Research Unit Prehistory and Anthropology, Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and EnvironmentUniversity of SienaSienaItaly
| | - Gregorio Oxilia
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
| | - Matteo Romandini
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
| | - Sara Silvestrini
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
| | - Fabio Baruffaldi
- Laboratory of Medical TechnologyIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico RizzoliBolognaItaly
| | - Maria Giovanna Belcastro
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences – BigeaUniversity of BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - Federico Bernardini
- Department of Humanistic StudiesUniversità Ca'FoscariVeneziaItaly
- Multidisciplinary LaboratoryAbdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical PhysicsTriesteItaly
| | - Anna Festa
- Laboratory of Medical TechnologyIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico RizzoliBolognaItaly
| | - Tamás Hajdu
- Department of Biological Anthropology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of ScienceEötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
| | | | - Ildiko Pap
- Department of Biological Anthropology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of ScienceEötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
- Department of Biological Anthropology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Science and InformaticsSzeged UniversitySzegedHungary
- Department of AnthropologyHungarian Natural History MuseumBudapestHungary
| | - Tamás Szeniczey
- Department of Biological Anthropology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of ScienceEötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Claudio Tuniz
- Multidisciplinary LaboratoryAbdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical PhysicsTriesteItaly
- Centre for Archaeological ScienceUniversity of WollongongWollongongNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Timothy M. Ryan
- Department of AnthropologyPennsylvania State UniversityState CollegePennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Stefano Benazzi
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
- Department of Human EvolutionMax Planck Institute for Evolutionary AnthropologyLeipzigGermany
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Figus C, Stephens NB, Sorrentino R, Bortolini E, Arrighi S, Lugli F, Marciani G, Oxilia G, Romandini M, Silvestrini S, Baruffaldi F, Belcastro MG, Bernardini F, Erjavec I, Festa A, Hajdu T, Mateovics‐László O, Novak M, Pap I, Szeniczey T, Tuniz C, Ryan TM, Benazzi S. Human talar ontogeny: Insights from morphological and trabecular changes during postnatal growth. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2022; 179:211-228. [PMCID: PMC9804293 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Objectives The study of the development of human bipedalism can provide a unique perspective on the evolution of morphology and behavior across species. To generate new knowledge of these mechanisms, we analyze changes in both internal and external morphology of the growing human talus in a sample of modern human juveniles using an innovative approach. Materials and Methods The sample consists of high‐resolution microCT scans of 70 modern juvenile tali, aged between 8 postnatal weeks and 10 years old, from a broad chronological range from Middle/Late Neolithic, that is, between 4800 and 4500 BCE, to the 20th century. We applied geometric morphometric and whole‐bone trabecular analysis (bone volume fraction, degree of anisotropy, trabecular number, thickness, and spacing) to all specimens to identify changes in the external and internal morphology during growth. Morphometric maps were also generated. Results During the first year of life, the talus has an immature and globular shape, with a dense, compact, and rather isotropic trabecular architecture, with numerous trabeculae packed closely together. This pattern changes while children acquire a more mature gait, and the talus tends to have a lower bone volume fraction, a higher anisotropy, and a more mature shape. Discussion The changes in talar internal and external morphologies reflect the different loading patterns experienced during growth, gradually shifting from an “unspecialized” morphology to a more complex one, following the development of bipedal gait. Our research shows that talar plasticity, even though genetically driven, may show mechanical influences and contribute to tracking the main locomotor milestones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Figus
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
| | - Nicholas B. Stephens
- Department of AnthropologyPennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Rita Sorrentino
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences – BigeaUniversity of BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - Eugenio Bortolini
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
- Human Ecology and Archaeology (HUMANE)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Simona Arrighi
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
| | - Federico Lugli
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
| | - Giulia Marciani
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
| | - Gregorio Oxilia
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
| | - Matteo Romandini
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
| | - Sara Silvestrini
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
| | - Fabio Baruffaldi
- Laboratory of Medical TechnologyIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico RizzoliBolognaItaly
| | - Maria Giovanna Belcastro
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences – BigeaUniversity of BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - Federico Bernardini
- Department of Humanistic StudiesUniversità Ca'FoscariVeneziaItaly
- Multidisciplinary LaboratoryAbdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical PhysicsTriesteItaly
| | - Igor Erjavec
- Laboratory for Mineralized TissueCentre for Translational and Clinical ResearchZagrebCroatia
| | - Anna Festa
- Laboratory of Medical TechnologyIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico RizzoliBolognaItaly
| | - Tamás Hajdu
- Department of Biological Anthropology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of ScienceEötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
| | | | - Mario Novak
- Centre for Applied BioanthropologyInstitute for Anthropological ResearchZagrebCroatia
| | - Ildikó Pap
- Department of Biological Anthropology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of ScienceEötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
- Department of AnthropologyHungarian Natural History MuseumBudapestHungary
- Department of Biological Anthropology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Science and InformaticsSzeged UniversitySzegedHungary
| | - Tamás Szeniczey
- Department of Biological Anthropology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of ScienceEötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Claudio Tuniz
- Multidisciplinary LaboratoryAbdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical PhysicsTriesteItaly
- Centre for Archaeological ScienceUniversity of WollongongWollongongAustralia
| | - Timothy M. Ryan
- Department of AnthropologyPennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Stefano Benazzi
- Department of Cultural HeritageUniversity of BolognaRavennaItaly
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Betsinger TK, DeWitte SN. Toward a bioarchaeology of urbanization: Demography, health, and behavior in cities in the past. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2021; 175 Suppl 72:79-118. [PMID: 33619721 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Urbanization is one of the most important settlement shifts in human history and has been the focus of research within bioarchaeology for decades. However, there have been limited attempts to synthesize the results of these studies in order to gain a broader perspective on whether or how urbanization affects the biology, demography, and behavior of humans, and how these potential effects are embodied in the human skeleton. This paper outlines how bioarchaeology is well-suited to examine urbanization in the past, and we provide an overview and examples of three main ways in which urbanization is studied in bioarchaeological research: comparison of (often contemporaneous) urban and rural sites, synchronic studies of the variation that exists within and between urban sites, and investigations of changes that occur within urban sites over time. Studies of urbanization, both within bioarchaeology and in other fields of study, face a number of limitations, including a lack of a consensus regarding what urban and urbanization mean, the assumed dichotomous nature of urban versus rural settlements, the supposition that urbanization is universally bad for people, and the assumption (at least in practice) of homogeneity within urban and rural populations. Bioarchaeologists can address these limitations by utilizing a wide array of data and methods, and the studies described here collectively demonstrate the complex, nuanced, and highly variable effects of urbanization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sharon N DeWitte
- Department of Anthropology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
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A rare case of hyperostosis frontalis interna in an 86-year-old Japanese female cadaver. Anat Sci Int 2020; 96:315-318. [PMID: 33001387 DOI: 10.1007/s12565-020-00577-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Hyperostosis frontalis interna (HFI) is a condition characterized by abnormal bone outgrowth on the inner surface of the frontal bone. Most HFI cases occur in post-menopausal elderly women. The pathology of HFI development is uncertain. The estimated incidence of HFI ranges from 5 to 12% in Western countries, but few cases have been reported in the Japanese population. Here, we report a case of HFI in an 86-year-old Japanese female cadaver. Macroscopically, the internal surface of the frontal bone exhibited bilateral nodular protrusion with sparing of the midline, while the external surface was normal. According to the morphological classification of HFI proposed by Hershkovitz et al. this case belongs to type D, the most severe type. Using computed tomography (CT), we defined five layers, designated as I-V from the inner to the outer layer, in the nodular region of HFI; however, the normal frontal bone is composed of three layers. Histological results demonstrated that layers I, III, and V consisted of the cortical bone, and layers II and IV consisted of the trabecular bone. We also observed increases in the numbers of lamellar bone and blood vessels on the dural side of layer I, indicating increased vascularization and active osteogenesis. These results indicate that layer II represents a new diploe within the inner table, which split into layers I and III, suggesting that diploization within the inner table by activated remodeling may be involved in the development of hyperostosis in this case.
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Sun L, Pechenkina K, Cao Y, Zhang H, Qi X. Cases of endocranial lesions on juvenile skeletons from Longshan cultural sites in Henan Province, China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PALEOPATHOLOGY 2019; 26:61-74. [PMID: 31252199 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Endocranial lesions were recognized on eight out of the 31 juveniles (25.8%) that were recovered from three Neolithic archaeological sites in Henan province. The remains of juveniles were recovered from urn burials at the Jiazhuang site (2200-2030 BCE) and graves at the Pingliangtai (2300-2100 BCE) and Haojiatai sites (2448-1700 BCE). The presence of endocranial lesions on all eight of these juvenile skulls was associated with a range of lesions on other bones, including areas of abnormal porosity and subperiosteal new bone deposition on either the sphenoid, maxilla, mandibular ramus, or orbit, as well as subperiosteal lesions on the postcranial bones. Several plausible explanations for the formation of these endocranial lesions in our eight cases include scurvy, shaken baby syndrome, and intrathoracic disease (such as tuberculosis or pulmonary infection). We show that the presence of endocranial lesions had a strong correspondence with skeletal markers of dietary deficiency, i.e. scurvy, and in one case, anemia. Millet was a key component of the Longshan subsistence in the area, while paleobotanical evidence of fruit and leafy vegetables appears to be limited, likely resulting in a nutrient deficient diet. The coupling of endocranial lesions with skeletal signs of dietary deficiency can be direct, as scurvy favors hemorrhaging, or mediated by physiological or sociocultural factors, and thereby represents comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Sun
- Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Kate Pechenkina
- Department of Anthropology, Queens College of the City University of New York, New York, USA.
| | - Yanpeng Cao
- Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Hai Zhang
- School of Archaeology and Museology, Beijing University, Beijing, China
| | - Xueyi Qi
- Zhumadian Municipal Administration of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Zhumadian, Henan, China
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Bascou A, Savall F, Vergnault M, Montoriol R, Guilbeau-Frugier C, Maupoint E, El Khal MC, Telmon N. Finding of Hyperostosis Frontalis Interna During the Autopsy Procedure: Forensic Issues. J Forensic Sci 2019; 64:1929-1932. [PMID: 31162647 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Hyperostosis frontalis interna is a common phenomenon, which may have been overrated in its significance in the past, and may, currently be underrated in its significance. We present three cases of hyperostosis frontalis interna found during medicolegal autopsies and discuss their forensic considerations. The patients were all middle-aged women with metabolic and endocrine manifestations and psychiatric ailments; thickening of the inner table of the frontal bone of the skull was found during each autopsy. We describe the relationship between hyperostosis frontalis interna, metabolic manifestations, and neuropsychiatric symptoms as part of Morgagni-Stewart-Morel syndrome. There is still considerable disagreement in the scientific community as to whether this syndrome is a clinical entity. Nonetheless, awareness of Morgagni-Stewart-Morel syndrome can be of help in understanding the circumstances surrounding death. In some other cases, hyperostosis frontalis interna could be used by forensic pathologists as criteria for sexing and aging a skeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Bascou
- Service de médecine légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rangueil, Avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, 31059, Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Frederic Savall
- Service de médecine légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rangueil, Avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, 31059, Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Marion Vergnault
- Service de médecine légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rangueil, Avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, 31059, Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Romain Montoriol
- Service de médecine légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rangueil, Avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, 31059, Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Céline Guilbeau-Frugier
- Service de médecine légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rangueil, Avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, 31059, Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Estelle Maupoint
- Service de radiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rangueil, Avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, 31059, Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Mohamed Chérif El Khal
- Service de médecine légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Farhat Hached, Rue Ibn Jazzar, 4031, Sousse, Tunisie
| | - Norbert Telmon
- Service de médecine légale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rangueil, Avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, 31059, Toulouse Cedex 9, France
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