Does the occurrence of Harris lines affect the morphology of human long bones?

Nowak, Oskar; Piontek, Janusz

doi:10.1078/0018-442x-00033

Cited by 8 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The main asset of the narrow chronology of the Dendermonde collection was that it provided a snapshot of a population living in the same period under similar conditions. Therefore, the results obtained from ANOVA analyses on metrical parameters were not influenced by secular variations, unlike previous studies (e.g., Mays, ; Nowak and Piontek, and 2011; Papageorgopoulou et al, ; Ribot and Roberts, ).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 51%

“…Only one previous archaeological study deals with such measurements. Nowak and Piontek () investigated the influence of HLs on bone form in the adult individuals of the Cedynia medieval cemetery (Poland). They found significant differences between individuals in relation to the presence of the indicator for shape measurements on the humerus, radius, and tibia.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Normal growth, altered growth? Study of the relationship between harris lines and bone form within a post‐medieval plague cemetery (Dendermonde, Belgium, 16th Century)

Boucherie

Castex

Polet

et al. 2016

American J Hum Biol

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 51%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Normal growth, altered growth? Study of the relationship between harris lines and bone form within a post‐medieval plague cemetery (Dendermonde, Belgium, 16th Century)

Boucherie

Castex

Polet

et al. 2016

American J Hum Biol

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“…According to this model, HL would not only respond to stressors, but can also be the result of autonomic rhythms (Appenzeller et al,2005). Moreover, undernutrition may lead to a lower number of HL being formed due to the heightened resorption of bone and HL, which may permit longitudinal bone growth (e.g., Murchinson et al,1984).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, clinical studies have confirmed that the appearance of HL is independent of poor health, so that the association between HL and the above mentioned conditions seems to be spurious (Marshall,1968). Moreover, poor nutritional status seems to decrease—and not increase—line formation (Snodgrasse et al,1955; Dreizen et al,1964; El Maraghi et al,1965; Murchinson et al,1984).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies in which an association between HL and age at death is suggested have failed to calculate correlation coefficients (Wells,1967), mistakenly equated the total number of HL with stressful events (Nowak and Piontek,2002b) or ignored bone resorption, which decreases the number of HL as the individuals age (McHenry,1968; Nowak and Piontek,2002b). Likewise, HL are not associated with altered cortical thickness, bone density or morphology (Hatch et al,1983; Preiffer et al,1986; Mays,1995; Nowak and Piontek,2002a; McEwan et al,2005). The co‐occurrence of HL with cribra orbitalia and porotic hyperostosis is also unclear (Ribot and Roberts,1996; Farnum,2002; Nowak and Piontek,2002b; McEwan et al,2005).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Experimental assessment of nutrition and bone growth's velocity effects on Harris lines formation

Alfonso‐Durruty

2011

American J Phys Anthropol

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Harris lines (HL) are radio-opaque transverse lines traditionally associated with stressors that halt or decelerate growth in humans. Harris lines' status as a stress marker is, however, questionable because their association to illness and deficient growth is low and they commonly form in the absence of stress during periods of accelerated growth. To assess Harris line's reliability as a stress marker, this study examined their association with nutritional status and bone growth velocity through an experimental study in rabbits. Forty-five New Zealand White rabbits were divided into: Control (normal laboratory conditions), Experimental-1 (moderately undernourished), and Experimental-2 (periodically fasted) groups during their growth. Variables analyzed included weight, forelimb length, humeral diaphyseal length, diaphyseal growth velocity, and number of Harris lines. Fewer lines were observed by the end of the study among Experimental-1 animals. More Harris lines formed during periods of rapid growth in the absence of nutritional stress. Accordingly, Harris lines are a poor marker of stress. Intrinsic limitations to paleopathological studies can be overcome, but even the most careful attentiveness to multiple stress markers and cultural context will go amiss if the markers used are unreliable.

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Histology of a Harris line in a human distal tibia

Miszkiewicz

2015

J Bone Miner Metab

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Identification and diagnosis of Harris lines (HLs) is usually achieved using radiography. To date, histological methods have been mainly implemented in research exploring the underlying processes of HL deposition using longitudinal sections taken from animal bone. Here, a new insight into HL formation is provided following transverse histological sectioning in a human specimen. A distinct HL was identified macroscopically, and from a radiograph, in a left distal tibia taken from an adult human male. Transverse sections were taken through the HL, and also from trabeculae immediately superior and inferior to the HL. Thin sections were produced following standard histological procedures. Micrographs were captured using a digital microscope camera. Trabeculae immediately superior and inferior to the HL displayed no indication of abnormal growth, exhibiting abundant osteocyte lacunae and a lamellar structure. However, the micro-anatomy of the HL was characterised by the following three main features: (1) non-lamellar appearance, (2) a complete lack of osteocyte lacunae, and (3) presence of irregularly distributed tubular structures. These three histological features indicate a specific process of bone deposition, implying that trapping of osteoblasts may not take place during HL formation. Pictorial and descriptive records of HL histology are provided, aiding current understanding about the nature of HL, its identification from histology, and serving as a reference point for future comparative research.

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Does the occurrence of Harris lines affect the morphology of human long bones?

Cited by 8 publications

References 16 publications

Normal growth, altered growth? Study of the relationship between harris lines and bone form within a post‐medieval plague cemetery (Dendermonde, Belgium, 16th Century)

Normal growth, altered growth? Study of the relationship between harris lines and bone form within a post‐medieval plague cemetery (Dendermonde, Belgium, 16th Century)

Experimental assessment of nutrition and bone growth's velocity effects on Harris lines formation

Histology of a Harris line in a human distal tibia

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