ABSTRACT
Radiocarbon analysis with reference to the modern bomb-curve was conducted using 68 bone samples of a vertebral body, femoral diaphysis, occipital bone, and parietal bone of 17 adults from Brazil. All individuals were born in 1963, thus analysis focused on the correlation with atmospheric values during the more recent, falling portion of the curve. Ages at death ranged from 43 to 54 years with representation of both sexes. Lag time (difference between the actual death date and the year of correspondence of the radiocarbon value with the curve) was evaluated for each individual and each tissue. The mean of the lag time values was 20.2 years, and the median was 22.0 years. The femur had the highest lag time median (29.5 years) among the bone groups, followed by the occipital (25.5 years), parietal (23.5 years) and the vertebra (8.0 years). The same pattern was observed for both sexes, but females tended to have lower lag time values than males. Different tissues presented considerable variation in lag time with vertebral bodies the least and the femoral diaphysis the greatest. These data suggest that individual age at death and the associated lag time must be considered in estimating the approximate death date. The lag time values for vertebral bodies were lower and with less variability in comparison with values for the occipital, parietal, and femur indicating greater consistency of that bone group for time since death estimation in the studied sample.
Subject(s)
Bombs , Spine , Adult , Bone and Bones , Brazil , Female , Femur , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Detailed knowledge of the possible anatomical and morphometric variations of the infraorbital foramen (IOF) is important for ensuring safe and successful regional anesthesia, and for avoiding iatrogenic nerve injuries during surgery on the middle third of the face. To conduct a morphometric study on the IOF, correlating this with sex and side of the cranium. Two hundred forty-two crania were used (148 male and 94 female). Measurements were made with the aid of digital calipers with precision to 0.01 mm. Presence of foramina and their multiplicity was also observed. The data were analyzed descriptively and analytically. Statistical significance was stipulated as 5% (P≤0.05). The IOF was found bilaterally in all the crania, and 26 of them presented multiplicity. The distance from the IOF to the anterior nasal spine was greater in males on both sides (P<0.001). Statistical differences between the sexes were also seen in relation to the following morphometric variables: height of the left IOF (P=0.007), width of the right IOF (P=0.004), and width of the left IOF (P=0.008), and the measurements were also larger among males. The IOF was present in all the crania and on both sides. It was morphometrically larger in males, on both sides.
