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Plexiform bone

A microstructural pattern found in the cortical bone of large rapid-growth mammals (bovids, horses, deer) characterised by alternating layers of woven bone and lamellar bone visible in cross-section as alternating pale and dark bands. Its presence excludes human bone and is a reliable macroscopic indicator of non-human large-mammal origin.

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Cortical (compact) boneCortical indexEpiphyseal growth plate (physis)Fragment identificationHaversian canalHaversian system (secondary osteon)Interstitial lamellaeKerley methodLacunaMinimum Number of Individuals (MNI)Neural archOsteoclast

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