Paleopathology in Perspective

Elizabeth Weiss introduces readers to how lifestyle changes-in complex interaction with biology, genes, and environment-affect health in this distinctive tour of human osteology, past and present.

List of Figures
Acknowledgments
1-Introduction to Bone Research
Bone Biology
Temporal Changes in Human Lifestyle
Evidence of Change: Skeletal Samples and Clinical Databases
2-Growth Patterns
The Human Growth Pattern
Long Bone Growth
Osteological Indicators of Growth
Conclusions
3-Adult Bone Health
Osteomalacia
Osteoporosis and Osteopenia
Conclusions
4-Childhood Injuries
Detecting Childhood Trauma
Patterns of Childhood Trauma: Falls, Abuse, Sports
Conclusions
5-Back Pains
Vertebral Anatomy of a Biped
Back Pain Demographics
Vertebral Pathology Detection
Schmorl's Nodes
Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis
Treatment
Conclusions
6-Arthritis
Erosive Arthritis
Osteoarthritis: Diagnosis and Risk Factors
Osteoporosis and Other Degenerative Diseases
Joint Pain Treatment
Conclusions
7-Oral Health
Tooth Anatomy and Examinations
Tooth Wear: Attrition, Abrasion, and Erosion
Tooth Decay
Periodontal Disease
Tooth Loss
Malocclusion
Conclusions
8-Infectious Diseases
General Bone Infections
Parasite-Induced Anemia
Treponemal Diseases
Mycobacterial Diseases
Conclusions
9-Congenital Defects
Birth Defects Diagnostics
Temporal Changes in Birth Defects
Conclusions
10-The Next Fifty Years?
Older Populations
Genetic and Medical Advances
Obesity
Urbanization
Food Fortification
Increasing Paternal Age
Return of Past Diseases
Conclusions
Acronyms
Glossary
Works Cited
Index
About the Author