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Paleohistopathology of a Harris line

Miszkiewicz, Justyna J., Mahoney, Patrick (2013) Paleohistopathology of a Harris line. In: American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 150. p. 200. Wiley (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:38315)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://meeting.physanth.org/program/2013/session28...

Abstract

Identification of Harris lines (HLs), a non-specific indicator of bone growth disruption, is usually achieved radiographically. Histological methods have only been implemented to explore the underlying processes of HL formation in longitudinal sections of animal bone. No prior study has examined HL histopathology in a human skeletal specimen. Here, a first insight into HL formation, from transverse sections in a human distal tibia, is provided. Results will aid understanding about the nature of HL, and its identification from histology.

Distinct HLs were identified macroscopically, and from a radiograph, in a left distal tibia taken from an adult male dating to the British Medieval period. Multiple transverse sections were taken through the HL, and also from trabecular bone regions located immediately proximal and distal to the HL. Thin sections of undecalcified bone were produced following standard histological procedures. Slides were examined under a high-powered microscope at 20x, 40x, and 60x using polarized light. Images were captured using a digital microscope camera and imaging software, and later assembled into montages.

Trabeculae proximal and distal to the HL exhibited no abnormal growth, displaying numerous osteocyte lacunae and a healthy lamellar structure. However, the microanatomy of the HL was characterised by three main features: 1) non-lamellar appearance, 2) lack of osteocyte lacunae, 3) presence of irregular bundle-like canals oriented in multiple directions. These histopathological features indicate an abnormal manner of bone deposition, implying that trapping of osteoblasts does not take place during HL formation. Pictorial and descriptive records of tibial HL histopathology are provided.

Item Type: Conference or workshop item (Poster)
Subjects: H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
Funders: University of Kent (https://ror.org/00xkeyj56)
Depositing User: Justyna Miszkiewicz
Date Deposited: 17 Feb 2014 12:44 UTC
Last Modified: 12 Jul 2022 10:40 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/38315 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Miszkiewicz, Justyna J..

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Mahoney, Patrick.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2715-3096
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