Histomorphometric analysis of osteocyte lacunae in human and pig: exploring its potential for species discrimination

Abstract

In recent years, several studies have focused on species discrimination of bone fragments by histological analysis. According to literature, the most consistent distinguishing features are Haversian canal and Haversian system areas. Nonetheless, there is a consistent overlap between human and non-human secondary osteon dimensions. One of the features that have never been analyzed for the purpose of species discrimination is the osteocyte lacuna, a small oblong cavity in which the osteocyte is locked in. The aim of this study is to verify whether there are significant quantitative differences between human and pig lacunae within secondary osteons with similar areas. Study sample comprises the midshaft of long bones (humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia, and fibula) of a medieval human adult and a juvenile pig. Sixty-eight secondary osteons with similar areas have been selected for each species and a total of 1224 osteocyte lacunae have been measured. For each osteon, the total number of lacunae was counted, and the following measurements were taken: minimum and maximum diameter, area, perimeter, and circularity of nine lacunae divided between inner, intermediate, and outer lacunae. Statistical analysis showed minimal differences between human and pig in the number of lacunae per osteons and in the minimum diameter (P > 0.05). On the contrary, a significant difference (P < 0.001) has been observed in the maximum diameter, perimeter, area, and circularity. Although there is the need for further research on different species and larger sample, these results highlighted the potential for the use of osteocyte lacunae as an additional parameter for species discrimination. Concerning the difference between the dimensions of osteocyte lacunae based on their position within the osteon (inner, intermediate, and outer lacunae), results showed that their size decreases from the cement line towards the Haversian canal both in human and pig.

The professional practice of forensic anthropology: Contemporary developments and cross‐disciplinary applications

“…Histological preparation affords direct confirmation of origin based on microstructure, for example, the greater gross tissue structures, overall organization, and vascular appearance (Crowder et al, 2018). There are numerous examples describing approaches for confirming or refuting human origin, for example, Cummaudo et al (2019), Dominguez and Crowder (2012), Hillier and Bell (2007), Lagacé et al (2020), Mulhern and Ubelaker (2012). The common premise of human, or a nonhuman determination is the presence of a plexiform signature in mammalian long-bone cortices, characterized by regularly arranged horizontal layers of osteons.…”

Osteocyte lacuno‐canalicular microstructure across the mid‐shaft femur in adult males from medieval England

“…Not only can this be used as a complementary method to the bone exterior shape and size data, but histological analyses can also be applied to fragmented human remains where the external anatomy is compromised (Crescimanno & Stout, 2012; Cuijpers, 2006; Cummaudo et al, 2019; Haas & Storå, 2015; Lemmers, Gonçalves, Cunha, Vassalo, & Appleby, 2020). On the basis of our data, future researchers may be able to estimate which anatomical region a mid‐shaft femoral fragment derives from.…”

The Importance of Correlation between CBCT Analysis of Bone Density and Primary Stability When Choosing the Design of Dental Implants—Ex Vivo Study

“…The experimental study used a bovine femur as a model of the human lower jaw (bone density D1/D2) and pork ribs of equal cortical thickness of 2 mm as a bone model of the human upper jaw (bone density D3/D4) [ 41 ].…”