Biological Profile & Differential Diagnoses for Teaching Skeleton A-16

Abstract

The examination of the human skeleton can present information about a person, such as age, sex and disease, long after the individual’s death. A paleopathological analysis in the biological profile is instrumental to identifying disease, antemortem and perimortem modifications or postmortem changes and with this information, we can build a biological profile for the individual. This research examines the spinal pathology and vertebral trauma for a skeleton from the Department of Anthropology’s teaching collection (A-16). Further examination of the vertebral profile provides more information in order to create a differential diagnosis. Although a definitive diagnosis is not made in this article, evidence suggests that subject A-16 suffered from a vertebral compression fracture, transverse process fracturing and characteristics of porosity throughout the axial skeleton that are consistent with severe osteoporosis. This research offers insight into the conditions that lead to various vertebral trauma and those insights provide an opportunity to discuss environmental, cultural or lifestyle circumstances of the case study individual.