Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 16, 2026
07:56
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
18.5K
Bone Changes in an Italian Ancient Human Skeleton--Possibly Caused by Leprosy
Indian Journal of Leprosy
|August 11, 2016
Summary
This study analyzed skeletal remains from the Roman period to understand leprosy's bone effects before antibiotics. Direct examination revealed specific rhino-maxillary and limb bone changes characteristic of advanced leprosy.
Area of Science:
- Paleopathology
- Infectious Diseases
- Skeletal Biology
Background:
- Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis, is an infectious disease.
- Advanced leprosy can cause distinct skeletal changes, particularly in the rhino-maxillary region and extremities.
Observation:
- Skeletal remains from the pre-antibiotic Roman era exhibiting leprosy-related bone lesions were directly analyzed.
- The study focused on the localization and complexity of bony lesions in the nasal, maxillary, hand, and foot bones.
Findings:
- Direct analysis confirmed specific and non-specific skeletal changes attributable to leprosy in the studied individual.
- The observed bone lesions provided insights into the primary and secondary effects of leprosy without antibiotic intervention.
Implications:
- This research offers a direct examination of leprosy's skeletal manifestations in a pre-antibiotic context.
- Understanding these historical bone changes enhances our knowledge of leprosy's progression and diagnostic markers.
Related Concept Videos
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
3.9K
The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
3.9K
01:29Bone Disorders
6.0K
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
6.0K
01:10Bones of the Lower Limb: Tibia and Fibula
14.3K
The tibia is the main weight-bearing bone of the lower leg. It is larger than the fibula with which it is paired. The tibia is also the second longest bone in the body and is located right below the skin. The proximal end of the tibia forms the medial and the lateral condyle, which articulates with the condyles of the femur to form the knee joint. Between the articulating surfaces is the irregular elevated area known as the intercondylar eminence that serves as the inferior attachment point for...
14.3K
01:55Bone Structure
52.7K
Within the skeletal system, the structure of a bone, or osseous tissue, can be exemplified in a long bone, like the femur, where there are two types of osseous tissue: cortical and cancellous.
52.7K
01:27Compact Bone
18.5K
Most bones contain compact and spongy osseous tissue, but their distribution and concentration vary based on the bone's overall function.
Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is the denser, stronger of the two types of bone tissue. It is found under the periosteum and in the diaphyses of long bones, where it provides support and protection. The microscopic structural unit of compact bone is called an osteon, or haversian system. Each osteon is composed of concentric rings of calcified...
Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is the denser, stronger of the two types of bone tissue. It is found under the periosteum and in the diaphyses of long bones, where it provides support and protection. The microscopic structural unit of compact bone is called an osteon, or haversian system. Each osteon is composed of concentric rings of calcified...
18.5K
01:17Gross Anatomy of Bone
11.1K
The two main features of a long bone are the diaphysis and the epiphysis.
The diaphysis is the tubular shaft that runs between the proximal and distal ends of the bone. The walls of the diaphysis are composed of dense and hard compact bone made of numerous osteons — the functional unit of the compact bone. The hollow region in the diaphysis is called the medullary cavity, which harbors the bone marrow. In infants and children, this marrow cavity is filled with red marrow, whereas in...
The diaphysis is the tubular shaft that runs between the proximal and distal ends of the bone. The walls of the diaphysis are composed of dense and hard compact bone made of numerous osteons — the functional unit of the compact bone. The hollow region in the diaphysis is called the medullary cavity, which harbors the bone marrow. In infants and children, this marrow cavity is filled with red marrow, whereas in...
11.1K