Spina bifida, the normal, the pathological and the in-between: first evidence from a forensic osteological collection.

ABSTRACT: Spina bifida (SB), a rare congenital disorder, is often mentioned as an individualizing factor in Forensic Anthropology. A lack of empirical data regarding SB is noticed in the scientific literature. Moreover, within the scope of anthropological research on SB disparities in terminology, classification systems, and methodological approaches result in incomparable results. The wide range (1,2%-50%) of "spina bifida occulta" reported prevalences is a good example. This research aims to analyze and debate the standard diagnostic criteria of SB on human skeletal remains, and attempts to elaborate on an universal system, premised on the distinction between SB as a pathology, and cleft neural arch (CNA) as an anatomical variant, according to Barnes (1994, p. 360 [1). A study-base of 209 individu

SUBMITTER: Manso MT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10771999 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature