Anthropology And Odontology

Question 1

Define the term ‘Taphonomy’

Answer 1

The study of what happens to an organism from the time it dies until the time it ends up in the laboratory

Question 2

What are the 2 ways of identifying change through morphological change?

Answer 2

PUBIC SYMPHYSIS - junction bridged by cartilage (10 phases per age)

AURICULAR SURFACE - ilium attaches to the sacrum (bone becomes smooth with age)

Question 3

What are the 2 ways to determine the sex of remains?

Answer 3

PELVIS - male = large/rugged and female = small/gracile

                1. Sciatic notch (m = narrow) (f = wide) 
                2. Phenice model 
                       - ventral arc (m = NA) (f = present) 
                       - subpubic concavity (m = narrow) (f = wide) 
                       - ischiopubic ramus (m = thin) (f = wide) 

CRANIUM - m = large with large muscle attachment and f = smaller with small muscle attachment

Question 4

What are the 4 components of a biological profile?

Answer 4

1. Sex
2. Age at death
3. Race
4. Height

Question 5

What are the 4 components of the skeletal anatomy?

Answer 5

CRANIAL - skull only

POSTCRANIAL - everything below the skull

AXIAL - vertebrae, ribs and sternum

APPENDICULAR - upper limb bones or lower limb bones (excluding the pelvis)

Question 6

Describe the 4 parts of the bone microstructure

Answer 6

OSTEOBLASTS - specialised growth cells that produce bone

LACUNAE - encapsulated osteoblasts

OSTEON - fully encapsulated osteoblasts

OSTEOCLASTS - actively breaks down and remodels bone when required

Question 7

What are the 3 structures within a long bone?

Answer 7

CORTICAL BONE - outer layer, hard, smooth and compact

TRABECULAR BONE - inner layer, sponge-like bone and increases strength without added weight

MARROW - very centre in medullary cavity, fatty material creating blood cells

Question 8

Define the term ‘Paleoanthropology’

Answer 8

The biological study of past human populations

Question 9

Define the term ‘Bioanthropology’

Answer 9

The biological study of current human populations

Question 10

Define the term ‘Archeology’

Answer 10

The study of past human cultures

Question 11

Define the term ‘Ethnology’

Answer 11

The study of current human cultures

Question 12

Define the term ‘Anthropology’

Answer 12

Study of humans, cultures and biology

Question 13

Define the term ‘Forensic anthropology’

Answer 13

Application of the study of humans to legal or public concern