Medieval trabecular bone architecture: the influence of age, sex, and lifestyle.

摘要: Osteoporosis has become a growing health concern in developed countries and an extensive area of research skeletal biology. Despite numerous paleopathological studies bone mass, few have measured quality past populations. In order to examine age- sex-related changes one aspect the past, study was made trabecular architecture British medieval sample. X-ray images 5-mm-thick coronal lumbar vertebral sections were taken from total 54 adult individuals divided into three age categories (18-29, 30-49, 50+ years), examined using image analysis evaluate parameters related structure connectivity. Significant age-related (trabecular volume (BV/TV), number (Tb.N), separation (Tb.Sp), anisotropic ratio (Tb.An)) observed occur primarily by middle with significant differences between youngest two older groups. Neither sex showed continuing change old Age-related connectivity (number nodes (N.Nd) node-to-node strut length (Nd.Nd)) similarly indicated only However, females no statistical among groups These patterns loss fragility contrast those generally found modern populations that typically report age, suggest greater females. The archaeological samples must be interpreted cautiously. We speculate while nutritional factors may initiated some both sexes, physical activity could conserved reproductive such as high parity extended periods lactation played key role female maintenance this historic population. qualitative elements (such architecture) is vital if we are understand past.