Male Humeri Research Articles

Age-dependent change and intraskeletal variability in secondary osteons of elderly Australians.

There is a need to fully understand intra-skeletal variability within different populations to develop and improve age-at-death estimation methods. This study evaluates age-related histomorphometric changes in three different bones intra-individually in a modern Australian sample. Four female and 13 male elderly Australian adult donors (67-93 years) were examined for osteon population density (OPD), osteon area (On.Ar), and Haversian canal area (H.Ar) of secondary osteons to compare between femora, ribs, and humeri and assess against age. In the pooled sex sample, no statistically significant correlations were observed between age and each histological variable. In the males, OPD of the femur increased significantly with age, as did porosity in the rib. In the male humeri, OPD increased moderately with age, while H.Ar was decreased moderately with age. Intra-bone comparisons showed that males had significantly higher osteon counts in their ribs compared to their femora, while their ribs showed statistically significantly less porosity than their humeri. When bone size was accounted for, by adjusting the femur and humerus histology data by robusticity indices, histology values were found to be similar between bones within the same individual. This is despite the upper and lower limbs receiving different ranges and types of biomechanical load. Our findings demonstrate that bone size influences histomorphometry, and this could confound age-at-death estimations that have not been adjusted for robusticity. Future studies would benefit from examining bone histomorphometry within a larger sample size and incorporating bone robusticity measures into histology analyses.

Bioarcheological and paleopathological study of a multiple deposition burial from S. Antine- Genoni (SU) – Sardegna - Italy

A multiple deposition burial in a lithic coffin was found on a hill located in the Campidano valley, in Central South Sardinia (Italy). The site was used from 1800 BC to 500 AD, the burial seems to be dated to the Roman age (238 BC-470AD). A total of 98 human bones and 3 human teeth were present. Anthropological and paleopathological analyses were made. The biological profile was defined with standard anthropological methodologies. The anthropological analysis. A large part of the bones can be referred to as an adult male. Most of the bones display the presence of pathologies, in most cases osteophytosis, the correlation of the same pathologies in contiguous bones indicate that they may belong to the same individual. Very interesting is a possible blade injury in the lateral epicondyle of the right male humerus and a plausible pertrochanteric fracture. The presence, in the same coffin, of a small number of individuals, with the presence of one subadult, can’t completely exclude that they were members of the same family group. More analyses will be necessary to better understand the context.

Metric forensic anthropology decisions: Reliability and biasability of sectioning-point-based sex estimates.

Subjective decisions make human cognitive processes more susceptible to bias and error. Specifically, research indicates that additional context biases forensic anthropologists' morphological analyses. To address whether metric analyses are also subject to bias, we conducted a pilot study in which 52 experienced osteologists measured a difficult-to-classify human femur, with or without additional contextual information. Using a metric sectioning-point sex-estimation method, participants provided a sex estimate for individual skeletal element(s) and, when given multiple elements, the combined skeletal assemblage. Control group participants (n=24) measured only the femur. In addition to the femur, bias group participants (n=28) either measured a female humerus and viewed a female-biasing photograph (n=14) or measured a male humerus and viewed a male-biasing photograph (n=14). We explored whether the experts in the different groups would differ in: (1) femoral measurements; (2) femoral sex-estimation conclusions; and (3) final sex-estimation conclusions for the skeletal assemblage. Although the femoral measurements and femoral sex estimates were comparable across groups, the overall sex estimates in the female-biased group were impacted by contextual information-differing from both the control and male-biased groups (p<0.001). Our results demonstrate that cognitive bias can occur even in metric sex-estimation conclusions. Specifically, this occurred when the metric data and single-element sex estimates were synthesized into an overall estimate. Thus, our results suggest that metric methods are most vulnerable to bias when data are synthesized into an overall conclusion, highlighting the need for bias countermeasures and comprehensive statistical frameworks for synthesizing metric data to mitigate the effects of cognitive bias.

Metrical parameters for approximation of height from superior extremity long bones in humans

This study entitled “Metrical parameters for approximation of height from superior extremity long bones in humans” was worked out in the Anatomy Department, GMC, Aurangabad. Students belonging to second year of M.B.B.S, B.D.S, and B.sc Nursing with other non-medico members of the department were included in the study. The age range of the study subjects was between 20 to 50 years including both males and females totaling 500 in number. The study focused on devising a linear regression equivalence to estimate height from the length of arm and forearm bones (viz. humerus, radius and ulna). The stature or height was measured with the help of an anthropometer from crown to heel, length of humerus from humeral head to the farthest point on trochlea, length of ulna from the tip of olecranon process to the distal point of its styloid process, length of radius from the most proximal margin of the head to the distal point of its styloid process. All these measurements were taken with the help of spreading calipers. Correlation coefficient (r) for length of long bones with stature was 0.565 for male humerus, 0.4699 for female humerus, 0.5434 for male radius, 0.4987 for female radius, 0.6398 for male ulna and 0.5637 for female ulna. ‘t’ test applied for testing the statistical significance of the obtained values was found to be significant. The regression equations for approximation of stature were formulated using length of humerus, radius and ulna. Keywords: Stature estimation, Humerus, Radius, Ulna.

Anatomical Considerations of Intramedullary Humeral Nailing and Lengthening.

Intramedullary lengthening, in cases of extensive humeral shortening, offers the advantages of preventing external-fixator-associated problems. The humeral cavity, as the main parameter in nailing, however, has been neglected in recent literature. It was hypothesized that available implants might be too large and therefore increase the risk of intraoperative fractures. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to describe the humeral canal and how it might affect the choice of implant and the surgical approach. Thirty humeri (15 female, 15 male) from clinical patients and anatomical specimens were studied. Specifically, the medullary cavity width (MCW), cortical thickness (CoT), and the course of the medullary canal were examined. The smallest MCW diameters were found at the distal third of the humeral shaft with mean diameters of 10.15 ± 1.96 mm. CoTs of female humeri were significantly smaller than those of male humeri (p < 0.001). The mean angles of the pro- and recurvatum were 4.01 ± 1.68° and 10.03 ± 2.25°, and the mean valgus bending was 3.37 ± 1.58°. Before implanting a straight lengthening nail into a doubly curved humerus, X-rays and, in selected cases, CT-scans should be performed. The unique size and course of the humeral canal favors an antegrade approach in cases of intramedullary lengthening.

Determination of Gender from Various Measurements of the Humerus

ObjectiveTo study different measurements of the humerus for the determination of sexStudy designA cross-sectional studyPlace and duration of studyThe Anatomy Department of Nishtar Medical University and Hospital from June 1, 2018, to May 31, 2019.MethodologySix measurements, including maximum length of the humerus (MLH), maximum diameter of the head of the humerus (MDH), vertical diameter of the head of the humerus (VDH), transverse diameter of the head of the humerus (TDH), epicondylar breadth (EB), and condylar breadth (CB) were calculated for 122 male humeri and 52 female humeri. These variables were compared between both genders using the student’s t-test. Wilks’ lambda test was applied. The demarking point of all these variables was defined as the average of the means of male and female measurements. Correctly identified cases were calculated in the male group, the female group, and the whole study group. Data analysis was done in SPSS v.23.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY). P>0.05 was statistically insignificant.ResultsThe differences of MLH, MDH, VDH, TDH, EB, and CB were statistically significant between both the genders (p<0.001). The accuracy of MLH was 85% in the total population. The accuracy of MDH, VDH, and TDH was 76%, 85%, and 76% in the total population, respectively. EB and CB correctly identified 75% and 78% of all the bones.ConclusionThis study shows that maximum humeral length and the vertical diameter of the humeral head are the two most important measurements with the highest accuracy for the determination of gender from the skeletal remains of the human body in the South-East Asian population.

Strong arm tactics: sexual dimorphism in macropodid limb proportions

AbstractMacropodid (kangaroo and wallaby) males use their forelimbs as weaponry in fights for dominance and access to females. The choreography and intensity of these fights varies with species body size. It has been established that the largest species show stronger dimorphism in upper limb muscularity as a product of sexual selection via increased intermale competition. However, beyond muscularity, and across the other macropodid species, limb dimorphism is poorly understood. Here, we examine dimorphism in the relative proportions of the bones within the forelimb and between the fore‐ and hindlimbs. We used a large sample of bones from 15 promiscuous macropodid species to confirm that absolute dimorphism in the forelimb becomes greater with body size (indexed by cranial length), and to further explore whether dimorphism in relative forelimb proportions increases also. As macropodids are obligate bipedal hoppers, no dimorphism was expected in the lower limb. Phylogenetic generalized least‐square regression was used to resolve phylogenetic non‐independence of the data. Greater upper limb dimorphism was significantly correlated with longer crania, confirming established patterns, but we found it was the relative length of the male humerus that became increasingly exaggerated with species' body size, not the radius as previously suggested. Enlarged proximal limb segments are indicative of adaptations for powerful movements. This aligns with higher intensity and ritualization of male agonistic behaviour, and reflects an increased selection for strong male forelimbs in the larger promiscuous species. Contrary to our hypothesis, relative male pes length decreased with body size, possibly indicating selection for a stronger and sturdier pes required for powerful kicks. This study clarifies the patterns of sexual dimorphism in Macropodidae limbs and illustrates the power of sexual selection to influence anatomy that is fundamental to locomotion in both sexes.

Determination of Sex from Humerus in the Population of Vidarbha Region of Maharashtra

Objective : In medicolegal cases it is expected to determine sex from isolated long bones or their fragments in order to establish a possible identity. For this reason the present study is undertaken on the samples of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra with the object to assess the value of different selected measurements of the human humerus in the determination of sex of an individual. Materials and Method: The material consist of 116 fully ossified humeri belonging to 58 dissection hall cadavers collected from Govt. medical college, Nagpur, out of which 42 were males and 16 were females of known sex and stature.Five parameters were used to study the sexual dimorphism- Maximum width of upper end of humerus, Circumference of surgical neck of humerus, Least shaft circumference, Transverse diameter of lower end of humerus and length of humerus. By Demarking Points (D.P.), percentage of bones in males and females were calculated. Results : Using Demarking points, with Maximum width of upper end 17% male and 19% female right humeri and 14% male and 25% female left bones could be identified.With circumference of surgical neck 14% males and 13% females right humeri and 14% of males and 6% female left humeri could be identified. By transverse diameter of lower end 17% of right male, 13% of right female, 12% of left male and 6% of left female bones could be assigned sex.With least shaft circumference only 7% of right male humeri, 5% left male humeri and 6% left female humeri could be identified. No female right humerus was identified in the present study when this parameter was used. With length of humerus only 5% right male, 37% right female, 7% left male and 37% left female humeri could be sexed. Conclusion : The maximum width of the upper end of humerus is the best criteria for sexual dimorphism of the human humerus, circumference of surgical neck, transverse diameter of the lower end, length of humerus and least shaft circumference are also discriminate parameters in order of accuracy.

Geometric morphometric assessment of sexually dimorphic characteristics of the distal humerus

A number of recent studies investigated the use of morphological characteristics of the distal humerus to estimate the sex of unknown individuals. Using visual assessment, accuracies ranging from 74% to more than 90% were reported. The aim of this study was to assess these traits with geometric morphometrics, in order to determine if they corroborate the findings described with pure visual assessment. A total sample of 155 female and 175 male humeri of South Africans were used. All humeri were photographed in standardized positions from a posterior and inferior view, and homologous landmarks assigned. Olecranon fossa shape, angle of the medial epicondyle and trochlear symmetry were assessed. Males and females could be separated with accuracies ranging from 78% to 91%. The results of this study confirm the existence of these traits and their usability in assessment of sex from skeletal remains, and the observed anatomical characteristics largely agree with what have been described by visual assessment.

SUPRATROCHLEAR FORAMEN

Introduction: The knowledge of the presence of STF in a humerus may be important for preoperative planning for treatment of supracondylar fractures. Objectives: Focused on the STF which is an important variation in the distal end of the humerus. Material and Method: The material consisted of 100 humeri of known sex taken from the Department of Anatomy, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Amritsar. 36 pairs of male humeri and 14 pairs of female humeri were taken. Results: The supracondylar foramen is seen in 26% of total humeri. It was present more in the females as compared to males and more frequently on the left side than on the right side. The translucent septum is found more frequently in the males than in females and more frequently on the right side than the left side. Conclusions: The anatomical knowledge of STF may be beneficial for anthropologists, orthopaedic surgeons, and radiologists in day-to-day clinical practice.

Differences in composition of avian bone collagen following genetic selection for resistance to osteoporosis

1. Collagen characteristics were compared in the tibiotarsus and humerus from 103 females and 38 males aged 68 to 72 weeks from the G6 generation of lines of laying hen selected for resistance or susceptibility to osteoporosis (high and low bone index (BI) lines). 2. Selection over the latest generation resulted in further divergence in the breaking strengths of humerus (from 12.3 to 21.8%) and tibia (from 22.3 to 37.3%) in hens. Males also showed line differences in bone strengths. 3. Plasma pyridinoline concentration was higher in hens in the low BI line, suggesting a greater rate of bone resorption in this line. 4. There were few differences between the lines in collagen and calcium concentrations in humerus and tibiotarsus cortical bone. 5. There were no differences between the lines in either sex in reduced immature collagen cross-link content of humerus or tibiotarsus. 6. Mature collagen cross-link content was higher in the high BI line in the male humerus but this effect was not apparent in the male tibiotarsus nor in either bone in the females. 7. Pyrrolic cross-link contents were higher in the high BI line in the female humerus and tibiotarsus and in the male tibiotarsus. 8. Over both lines combined, there were positive correlations between humeral and tibiotarsal pyrrole contents and strengths in females and between tibiotarsal pyrrole content and strength in males. 9. It is concluded that an increase in cross-linking, particularly pyrrolic cross-linking, in the collagen matrix contributes in part to the improvement in bone strength in the high BI line.

The Morphological Relationship between the Humerus Head and Scapular Glenoid Region.

In this study the volumes of the humeral head and the receiving space for the humerus head in the scapular glenoid region were measured and compared in Jomon, Ainu, and modern Kanto Japanese samples. It was assumed that the size and space of these two skeletal structures reflect each culture's daily activities. A three-dimensional analysis is introduced that would more precisely clarify the morphological and functional relationship between these two structures. An analysis of the volumes revealed that the male humerus head and the receiving space in the scapular glenoid region were significantly larger than those of females in all the three populations, with the least sex differences being noted in the Jomon scapulae. Further, there was a tendency toward smaller side differences in the humerus head than in the scapular glenoid space. The ratios of volumes between these two structures indicated smaller ratios in the Jomon than those in the Kanto. These results, together with previous studies, suggested that the mobility and stability of the shoulder joint were more “muscularly supported” in the Jomon, as opposed to the more “skeletally supported” structure of the modern Kanto Japanese. The Ainu sample fell between the Jomon and modern Kanto groups. It is probable that these differences occurred as a result of morphological adaptation to a changing environment.

Asymmetry and activity‐related change in the male humerus

AbstractSome previous studies of activity‐related change in the human skeleton have been of doubtful validity because specific changes have been related to particular tasks. Claims to establish such relationships have often concentrated on the development of entheses. Such work is marred by the incorrect assumption that muscles work in isolation in the performance of a single activity. In addition, normal skeletal asymmetry is often ignored, as is age and sex.In the present work, paired humeri of males from two medieval British sites, Norwich and Henry VIII's flagship, the Mary Rose, were compared using a series of measurements. Comparison of left and right sides demonstrated that humeral asymmetry decreases with age. Comparison of the sites showed that the Norwich males were more asymmetric than those from the Mary Rose. All asymmetries exhibited a right‐sided dominance. The majority of the species is right‐handed: the Norwich males followed this trend. The general lack of asymmetry in the Mary Rose males suggests that they were using their arms more equally. When left and right sides were compared directly, a new measurement of the greater tubercle (where three muscles insert) and measurement of the diameter of the head demonstrated that the Mary Rose males had significantly larger dimensions of the left shoulder than the Norwich males. These results extend earlier work, which had suggested a correlation between the use of heavy medieval longbows and os acromiale. Statistical comparison of the sites demonstrated that such work can indicate patterns of activity but not individual occupations.

Changes in Activities with the Shift to Agriculture in the Southeastern United States

Changes in Activities with the Shift to Agriculture in the Southeastern United States

Bone Fragility in Broilers as Affected by Pen Height, Sex, and a Comparison of Left and Right Humeri

Humeri and tibiotarsi breaking strengths were determined for broilers raised in pens of varying heights. Five hundred forty-four broilers were reared in conventional floor pens or wire cages on the floor with overhead restrictions of 20, 30, 40, or 50 cm. No significant differences were noted on growth, feed conversion or tibiotarsi breaking strength. Height-restricted broilers had significantly weaker humeri than did the controls. A significant linear relationship (P<.05) was noted in height-restricted broilers in that as pen height increased so did humeri strength.Further studies were conducted to test for significant differences between male and female humeri strength and between right and left humeri on the same bird. Forty-six pairs of female and male humeri were obtained, tagged for identity, and broken on the Instron Model 1122. Males had significantly stronger humeri than females and right humeri were significantly stronger than left humeri in both sexes.