Chapter 9 - Forensic Anthropology Flashcards
Allometric Relationship
Relationship of the size of a bone to the overall physical stature.
Antemortem
Before death
Anterior/Ventral
Front
Anthropology
Study of the physical, cultural, and social organization of humans.
Appendicular skeleton
- Portion of the skeleton that includes limbs and points of attachment
- Arms, legs, shoulder, pelvis
Axial Skeleton
Portion of the skeleton that includes spine and head.
Archeology
Study of past human life (includes examination of remaining physical evidence).
Beveling
When the bone appears as a concave crater.
Biological Profile
- Description of the biological properties of a person
- Stature, age, sex, ancestry, medical history
Blunt Force Truama
- Injury that occurs from a forceful strike
- Does not penetrate the skin
- May cause bruising
Bone
- Provide support for the body
- Primarily made-up of calcium and collagen
- Classified into: long, short, flat, sesamoid, irregular
Cartilage
- Tough, flexible connective tissue
- Line the joints
Collagen
- Smooth slippery substance
- Allows for bones to glide past each other smoothly
Co-mingled Remains
Remains from more than one individual mixed together at a site.
Compact Bone
Dense part of the bone made-up of a hard matrix
Crest
Raised or prominent part of the edge of a bone.
Deciduous Teeth
Baby teeth
Deep
Away from the surface
Diaphysis
Shaft of a long bone
Distal
- Part of the body further away from the center
- Ex: fingers are distal to shoulders
Endoskeleton
Internal skeleton
Epiphysis
Part of a bone naturally separated from the main body of the bone.
Facial Resconstruction
Creation of an estimate of the face of a person based off of their skeletal remains.
Foramen
Opening in a bone
Hematoma
Blood clot in an organ, tissue, or other body space.
Hydroxyapatite
- Form of calcium phosphate
- Primary component of bone
Hyoid Bone
- Small, U-shaped bone on the neck
- Supports muscles of the tongue
- Broken during strangulation
Inferior/Caudal
Lower
Lateral
- Side/part of the body that is away from the middle
- Ex: arms are lateral to the torso; torso is medial to the arms
Ligaments
Tissue that connects bones to bones
Longitudinal
From head to foot
Marrow
- Soft tissue inside the bone
- Responsible for RBC production
Medial
Towards the midline
Metaphysis
- Lies between diaphysis and epiphysis
- At the end of long bones
Morphology
Form/structure of an object
Ossification
- Process of bone formation
- Primarily from calcification of soft tissue
Ossification
- Process of bone formation
- Primarily from calcification of soft tissue
Calcification
Hardening of tissues/other materials into calcium
Osteoarthritis
Disease resulting from the chronic breakdown of cartilage in the joints
Osteocyte Cells
Mature bone cells
Osteometry
Process of measuring bones
Perimortem
At/about the time of death
Posterior/Dorsal
Rear
Postmortem
After death
Process
Projection of tissue from a larger body
Proximal
Near the center of the body
Remodeling Bone
Process of reshaping bones by resorption and deposition of new boney material
Sagittal
From front to back
Sexual Dimorphism
Differences in shapes or structures between male and female bodies
Sharp Force Truama
- Injury that occurs from a penetrating object
- Breaks the skin
Sinus
Small hollow spaces in the bone around the nose
Spongy Bone
The more open, porous bony tissue that makes up the inner portions of a bone
Superficial
Towards the surface
Superior/Cranial
Upper
Suture
Line where two bones come together
Symphysis Pubis
Front point of connection between the two hip bones
Taphonomy
- Study of how remains decay and are moved, distributed, or disturbed after death
- Examines how the environment is affected by remains
Tendons
Tissue that connects muscles to bones
Yellow Marrow
- Found in the long bones
- Contains stem cells that can become cartilage, fat, or bone cells
Red Marrow
- Mostly found at the end of bones
- Makes RBC’s, platlets, and most WBC’s
