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Dictionary:

osteology

  (ŏs'tē-ŏl'ə-jē) pronunciation
n., pl. -gies.
  1. The branch of anatomy that deals with the structure and function of bones.
  2. The bone structure or system of an animal.
osteological os'te·o·log'i·cal (-ə-lŏj'ĭ-kəl) adj.
osteologically os'te·o·log'i·cal·ly adv.
osteologist os'te·ol'o·gist n.
 
 
Medical Dictionary: os·te·ol·o·gy
(ŏs'tē-ŏl'ə-jē)
n.

The branch of anatomy that deals with the structure and function of bones.

 

A specialist in osteology.

 
Wikipedia: Osteology

Osteology is the scientific study of bones. A subdiscipline of anthropology(US) archeology(EU), osteology is a detailed study of the structure of bones, skeletal elements, teeth, morphology, function, disease, pathology, the process of ossification (from cartilaginous molds), the resistance and hardness of bones (biophysics), etc. Often used by scientists with identification of human remains with regard to age, death, gender, growth, and development in a biocultural context.

Methods

A typical analysis will include:

  • an inventory of the skeletal elements present
  • a dental inventory
  • ageing data, based upon epiphyseal fusion, dental eruption and tooth wear
  • sexing data, based upon bone morphology
  • stature and other metric data
  • ethnicity
  • non-metric traits
  • pathology and/or cultural modifications
  • taphonomy, including weathering, gnawing, butchery, burning and related processes...

Applications

Osteological approaches are frequently applied to investigations in disciplines such as forensic science, physical anthropology and archaeology, and has a place in research on topics including:

References

  • Bass, W M. 2005. Human Osteology: A Laboratory and Field Manual. 5th Edition. Columbia: Missouri Archaeological Society.
  • Buikstra, J. E and Ubelaker, D. H. (eds.) 1994. Standards for Data Collection from Human Skeletal Remains. Arkansas Archeological Survey Research Series No. 44.
  • Cox, M and Mays, S. (eds.) 2000. Human Osteology in Archaeology and Forensic Science. London: Greenwich Medical Media.

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Copyrights:

Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Medical Dictionary. The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company Read more
Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Osteology" Read more

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