Micro-anatomical features specific to metabolic problems found in the 6th left rib: A comparison among samples from the Raymond Dart and the RRP Collections

Thin sections from the left sixth rib are examined histologically from individuals whose cause of death ranges from alcoholism, cancers, heart failure, non-specific malnutrition, and pellagra. The goal of this project is to better understand how a range of metabolic circumstances affect the micro-anatomy of bone. The sample consists of 24 individuals with a mean age of 46 and a range of 27-73 years. The samples are divided into groups specific to health conditions; comparing results between healthy individuals and individuals with chronic health conditions. Data was collected for the following variables: cortical area, cortical thickness, osteon population density (OPD), the number of forming osteons, the number of double zonal osteons, the number of type II osteons, the number of drifting osteons, osteon area, Haversian canal area, and finally, number and size of Howship’s Lacunae. This data was also collected posteriorly and anteriorly. The data shows there are specific patterns identifiable in bone micro-anatomy in size and frequency between healthy and non-healthy individuals. The findings help support the notion expressed by Paine and Brenton (2006) who found malnutrition slows the remodeling rate in human ribs. In this project, the following trend has been observed: cortical thickness and cortical area is diminished in the chronic group. There is no statistical difference between the healthy and chronic group, nor between chronic groups, or regions for OPD; the number of forming osteons, double zonal osteons, type II osteons, drifting osteons, osteon area, Haversian canal area, and finally, number and size of Howship’s Lacunae.