Human Osteology

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on human osteology, skeletal anatomy, and sex estimation.

Human Osteology

The study of the human skeleton and bones.

Human Skeleton

Comprises 206 bones in adults, used for various analyses.

Sex Estimation

Determining biological sex from skeletal remains.

Pelvis

The bone structure that supports the spine and legs, key in sex estimation.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Forensic Anthropology

The application of anthropology in a legal context.

Bioarcheology

The study of human remains from archaeological sites.

Paleoanthropology

The study of ancient human species through fossils.

Demographic Data

Information that provides insights into population characteristics.

Skeletal Elements

The individual bones and their characteristics used for analysis.

Stature Reconstruction

Estimating a person's height from long bone measurements.

Long Bones

Bones with shaft and ends, primarily in the limbs.

Irregular Bones

Bones with complex shapes, like vertebrae.

Flat Bones

Bones that are thin and often curved, like the sternum.

Sesamoid Bones

Small, round bones embedded in tendons, like the patella.

Standard Anatomical Position

Body standing, facing forward with arms at sides.

Superior

Toward the head.

Inferior

Away from the head.

Anterior

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body.

Proximal

Nearest the trunk of the body.

Distal

Farthest from the trunk of the body.

Sexual Dimorphism

Differences in traits between males and females.

Cranium

The part of the skull that encloses the brain.

Skull

Bone structure of the head, vital for sex analysis.

Ventral Arc

Pelvic feature prominent in females, useful for sex estimation.

Greater Sciatic Notch

Part of the pelvis, wider in females.

Subpubic Concavity

Curvature of the pelvis, more pronounced in females.

Subpubic Angle

Angle of the pelvis, less than 90 degrees in males.

General Curvature of Sacrum

Shape of sacrum, typically more pronounced in males.

Ischiopubic Ramus

Pelvic bone feature, blunt in males, thin in females.

Vertebrae

Bones forming the spine, included in sex estimation.

Cranial Suture Closure

The fusion of skull bones used in age estimation.

Long Bone Fusion

The joining of long bones, indicative of age.

Developmental Changes

Growth-related changes in bone structure.

Degenerative Changes

Wear-and-tear changes in bones over time.

Synostosis

The fusion of two or more bones.

Ecto-Cranial Closure

Closure of cranial sutures on the outer skull.

Open Suture

No closure at the suture site.

Minimal Closure

Some closure has occurred at the suture site.

Significant Closure

Marked degree of closure at the suture.

Complete Obliteration

Suture site completely fused, no traces remain.

Nuchal Crest

Bone marking on the back of the skull, used for sex estimation.

Orbital Margin

Edge of the eye socket, analyzed in sex estimation.