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Ontogenetic Patterning of Human Subchondral Bone Microarchitecture in the Proximal Tibia.
Jesse R Goliath1,2, James H Gosman2, Sam D Stout2
1Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA.
Biology
|September 14, 2022
Summary
This study analyzed human tibia bone from A.D. 1300, revealing age-related changes in subchondral bone structure. Bone volume and anisotropy increased with age, while connectivity density decreased, offering insights into skeletal adaptations.
Area of Science:
- Paleoanthropology
- Biomechanics
- Skeletal Biology
Background:
- Subchondral bone microarchitecture is crucial for joint health and function.
- Understanding age-related changes in bone morphology provides insights into biomechanical loading and skeletal adaptation.
- Archaeological human remains offer a unique window into past populations' skeletal biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively analyze subchondral cortical and trabecular bone microarchitecture in proximal human tibiae from an archaeological context.
- To investigate the association between age, region (medial vs. lateral condyle), and body mass with bone morphometric parameters.
- To explore age-related changes in mechanical loading effects on subchondral bone morphology.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution computed tomography (HR-CT) imaging of 31 proximal human tibiae (ages 8-37.5 years) from Norris Farms #36 cemetery site (A.D. 1300).
- Morphometric analysis of subchondral cortical and trabecular bone architecture.
- Statistical analysis using Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to assess relationships between variables.
Main Results:
- Age-related increases in trabecular bone volume fraction (p=0.033) and degree of anisotropy (p=0.012).
- Age-related decrease in trabecular connectivity density (p=0.001) and increase in subchondral cortical plate thickness (p<0.001).
- Medial tibial condyles exhibited greater trabecular anisotropy than lateral condyles (p=0.004).
Conclusions:
- Age-related mechanical loading significantly impacts subchondral bone morphology in human tibiae.
- Distinct regional differences in bone architecture exist between medial and lateral tibial condyles.
- This study demonstrates an innovative method for microarchitectural analysis of subchondral bone in archaeological skeletal remains.
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