Fully Ossified Thyroid Cartilage Found among the Skeletal Remains of A 21-Year-Old Slavic Soldier: Interpretation of a Case

Alessia Leggio,Francesco Introna

doi:10.3390/forensicsci1030019

Alessia Leggio, Francesco Introna

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/forensicsci1030019

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Abstract

The degree of ossification of the thyroid cartilage in anthropological studies is related to other methods of determining the age of a skeleton. The endochondral ossification process begins at the age of approximately 15–20 years and is generally completed in the fifth or sixth decade of life. In the present case, early and complete mineralization of the thyroid cartilage of a skeleton belonging to a 21-year-old young soldier who died in 1946 was observed. Ossified thyroid cartilage at a very young age is rare and may be associated with specific symptoms, such as compression due to trauma, or may also be related to hormonal dysfunction and various diseases that may cause early mineralization. A macroscopic morphological evaluation and radiographic examination of the thyroid cartilage were performed and a decalcification test was applied to a sample taken from the thyroid cartilage to confirm that the structure was indeed mineralized. There is nothing to exclude that this is simply a physiological anatomical variation. Knowledge of this rare anatomical abnormality at a young age would be useful for the diagnosis of various pathological conditions.

Highlights

The thyroid cartilage is shield-shaped, located in the anterosuperior part of the larynx and lateral to it, and is one of the largest laryngeal cartilages
The penetration of the vessels from the perichondrium to the thyroid cartilage is the prelude to the endochondral ossification process, which begins around 15–20 years of age and is generally completed in the fifth or sixth decade of life, and this mineralization process occurs in males as opposed to women [4]
In 1983, (Figure 1) on the basis of these studies, the ossification process of the thyroid cartilage was divided into nine stages, distinguished by age groups [7,8]: Often, during anthropological investigations for age determination, the degrees of fusion of the ossification centers of the skeleton are analyzed, and to date, this includes that of the thyroid cartilage

Summary

Introduction

The thyroid cartilage is shield-shaped, located in the anterosuperior part of the larynx and lateral to it, and is one of the largest laryngeal cartilages. In 1983, (Figure 1) on the basis of these studies, the ossification process of the thyroid cartilage was divided into nine stages, distinguished by age groups [7,8]: Often, during anthropological investigations for age determination, the degrees of fusion of the ossification centers of the skeleton are analyzed, and to date, this includes that of the thyroid cartilage. Often, during anthropological investigations for of age determination, theunknown, degrees of and knowledge of this anatomical anomaly, which is rare at a young age, would be fusion of the ossification centers of the skeleton are analyzed, and to date, this useful includes for the diagnosis various pathological that of the thyroidofcartilage. Series, applying this method, a degree of total ossification was found on a skeletal remnant belonging to a 21-year-old young soldier

Case Report

Discussion

Discussion ossification ininto

Conclusions

Impact Statement