Plexiform Bone (Taphonomy Context)
Definition
In the pseudopathology context, the presence of plexiform bone structure in a cortical cross-section is used to exclude human origin rather than as a pathological indicator. It is a normal non-human bone microstructure, not a disease process. See also the 'plexiform bone' entry in the Side Determination topic for the full species-discrimination context.
- Context
- Pseudopathology and taphonomy assessment
- Diagnostic use
- Excludes human origin of a bone fragment
- Nature
- Normal non-human microstructure, not disease
- Related entry
- Plexiform bone in Side Determination topic
Common questions
Why would plexiform bone be mistaken for a pathological finding?+
Its layered, woven appearance in cross-section can superficially resemble reactive or diseased bone to an untrained eye, which is why the pseudopathology literature flags it explicitly as a normal structure that mimics pathology rather than a genuine lesion.
What animals commonly show plexiform bone?+
It is typical of fast-growing, larger non-human mammals such as cattle and deer, where rapid periosteal deposition produces the plexiform pattern. Its presence in a cortical section is therefore one of the standard screens for separating animal from human skeletal remains.
Related terms
- Behrensmeyer Weathering Stages
- A six-stage (0-5) macroscopic scale for characterising the degree of environmental weathering on bone, published by Anna Kay Behrensmeyer in Paleobiology (1978)....
- Buikstra-Ubelaker Standards
- The 'Standards for Data Collection from Human Skeletal Remains' (1994, Arkansas Archaeological Survey Research Series 44), edited by Jane Buikstra and Douglas...
- Callus
- The new bone tissue formed at the site of a fracture during healing. Passes through stages of haematoma, fibrous callus (woven bone),...
- Eburnation
- The polished, ivory-like surface produced on bone when articular cartilage is completely lost in severe osteoarthritis and the opposing subchondral bone surfaces...
- Minimum Number of Individuals (MNI)
- The smallest number of distinct individuals required to account for all skeletal elements present in an assemblage. Determined by identifying the element...
- Pathology
- In skeletal osteology, a disease process or injury that occurred during the individual's lifetime and left a detectable trace on the skeleton...
- Periostitis
- Inflammation of the periosteum resulting in the deposition of new woven or lamellar bone on the outer cortical surface. Produced by infection,...
- Pseudopathology
- Postmortem modification of bone by a specific agent (rodents, carnivores, plant roots, mechanical forces) that superficially resembles a disease process or antemortem...
- Taphonomy
- The systematic modification of bone by environmental processes after death, operating over the burial or exposure interval. Includes weathering, soil staining, sun...