Measurement of Changes in Trabecular Bone Structure with Age in an Archaeological Population

Osteoporosis is a major health problem in Britain today. The study of fractures resulting from osteoporosis in the present population indicates that the key factor in their occurrence is trabecular bone structure, rather than whole bone mass or density. No simple method, applicable equally to archaeological material, is available to provide a quantitative description of bone structure. Close range photogrammetry is a technique by which the three-dimensional microskeletal structures may be observed and measured. Stereopair photographs of mid-coronal sections through 79 human fourth lumbar vertebral bodies obtained from two London archaeological cemetery sites (datedc.ad1700–1850) were studied using a digital stereocomparator which allowed the real lengths of individual trabeculae to be measured in three-dimensions. One hundred such lengths for each bone sample were recorded, and these data grouped according to sex, and age at death. A marked increase in trabecular length with age was found. There were differences between the males and females, with females having a longer trabecular length starting at an earlier age and continuing throughout all age groups. There was a significant difference in mean trabecular length for males and females in all age groups under 45 years of age. Although differences could be seen in the older age groups they were less marked. Greater knowledge of the distribution of trabecular lengths from further studies will allow the identification of abnormal or osteoporotic individuals. In this study the technique has been applied to archaeological material but it may well be suitable for present day autopsy samples.