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.
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...
Explained in
- Pseudopathology vs Pathology vs Taphonomy and the Buikstra-Ubelaker InventoryIn the pseudopathology context, the presence of plexiform bone structure in a cortical cross-section is used to exclude human origin rather than as a pathologi...