Beyond the cause of death

Other pathological conditions in a female individual from the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection (Portugal)

Dados Bibliográficos

ID6136087
AutoresC Umbelino (0000-0003-4834-7364, University of Coimbra), Ana Luisa Santos (0000-0001-6073-1532, University of Coimbra), Sandra Assi (0000-0003-3081-2838, University of Coimbra)
Ano2011
Volume120
Fascículo1
Páginas73-79
Data de publicação2011-12-28
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoAnthropological Science (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0918-7960 • E-ISSN: 1348-8570
EditoraAnthropological Society of Nippon (PUBLISHER • JP)
DOI10.1537/ase.101130
OpenAlexW1984525096
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas2
Referências citadas19

Identified osteological collections are important sources for pathological studies, especially \nwhen the causes of death of the individuals are known. However, the individual may have suffered \nfrom other disorders, not related to the death and thus absent from written record of death. The aims \nof this paper are to describe the pathological signs perceptible on a skeleton, and to consider the possible \naetiologies beyond the recorded cause of death. Skeleton number 470 belongs to the Identified \nSkeletal Collection of the University of Coimbra, Portugal. This female died in 1933, and pulmonary \ntuberculosis was recorded as the cause of death. The skeleton was observed macroscopically by the \nnaked eye and with the help of a magnifying (10×) lens. Radiographic techniques were also applied. \nThis individual presents skeletal abnormalities that include rib and vertebral agenesis, kyphoscoliosis, \ncoxa vara in the right femur, left femoral head detachment with bone resorption in the corresponding \nacetabulum, and bilateral bowing of the fibulae. The differential diagnosis includes chromosomal or \ncongenital, infectious, endocrine and metabolic diseases, with residual rickets the most probable pathological \ncondition affecting this woman during her youth. This study shows that either in identified or \nunidentified skeletal samples, careful observation and a differential diagnosis is crucial

Autopsy · Cause of death · Differential diagnosis · Disease · Pathological · Pathology · Skeleton (computer programming · Autopsy Techniques and Outcomes · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Medical and Biological Sciences · Medicine · Anatomy