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Magnetic bones in human sinuses.

R R Baker, J G Mather, J H Kennaugh

    Nature
    |January 6, 1983
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Human bones in the sphenoid/ethmoid sinus complex are magnetic and contain ferric iron deposits. This discovery suggests a potential biological mechanism for magnetic field detection in humans.

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    Area of Science:

    • Biophysics
    • Magnetoreception
    • Human Physiology

    Background:

    • Organisms from bacteria to vertebrates can detect and orient to ambient magnetic fields.
    • Magnetite, a magnetic iron oxide, is a known biogenic material enabling magnetic orientation in some species.
    • The presence and function of magnetic materials in humans remain areas of active investigation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the presence of magnetic material within human bones.
    • To identify the composition of magnetic deposits found in human bone tissue.
    • To explore the potential role of these magnetic deposits in magnetoreception.

    Main Methods:

    • Analysis of bone samples from the human sphenoid/ethmoid sinus complex.
    • Magnetic measurements on extracted bone tissue.

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  • Chemical analysis to identify iron compounds within the magnetic deposits.

    • Main Results:

    • Bones from the human sphenoid/ethmoid sinus complex exhibit magnetic properties.
    • These magnetic bone deposits are composed of ferric iron.
    • The findings indicate biogenic magnetic material within human cranial structures.

    Conclusions:

    • Human bones, specifically in the sphenoid/ethmoid sinus region, contain magnetic ferric iron deposits.
    • These findings suggest a potential biological basis for magnetic field detection in humans.
    • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise function and derivation of these magnetic deposits.