Patterns of Femoral Bone Remodeling: Comparison of the Tongariki Native Easter Islanders with European Population

ABSTRACT

The relationship between sex, age and histomorphometry in femoral cortical bone was examined in a 19^th century skeletal population from the XIX-XX Century Northern Italy, and compared with the femoral sections belonging to the Tongariki Easter Islanders (XVII-XVIII Century A.D.). Femoral cross sections were examined using an image analysis system. Several histological variables were calculated to assess differences between sexes and among age groups. The results indicate significant differences between the two populations in osteon remodeling. OPD (Osteon Population Density)increased especially in the female sample in both populations, but In the Easter Island female sample OA (Osteon Area) was lower than in the European female population. In the Easter Island female sample, %Or (percent Osteon refilling) decreased after 49 years of age. The phenomenon was also evident in both sexes of European population, although the involution process was not so marked as age advanced.

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