Human Osteology, Third Edition

Build your understanding of the human skeleton—from bone biology and anatomical terminology to the recovery, analysis, and interpretation of skeletal remains. Human Osteology, Third Edition brings together skeletal anatomy, ethical considerations, and forensic, archaeological, and paleontological case studies to connect foundational knowledge with practical contexts.

What you'll learn

• Foundations and central skeletal anatomy: Begin with an introduction, bone biology, and anatomical terminology, then explore the skull, dentition, hyoid and vertebrae, and thorax—including the sternum and ribs.
• Upper-limb anatomy: Study the shoulder girdle’s clavicle and scapula; the arm’s humerus, radius, and ulna; and the hand’s carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges.
• Pelvic and lower-limb anatomy: Explore the pelvic girdle’s sacrum, coccyx, and os coxae; the leg’s femur, patella, tibia, and fibula; and the foot’s tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges.
• Responsible handling and documentation: Examine the recovery, preparation, and curation of skeletal remains, alongside analysis, reporting, and ethics in osteology.
• Assessment and interpretation: Study the assessment of age, sex, stature, ancestry, and identity, together with osteological and dental pathology and postmortem skeletal modification.
• Population and molecular perspectives: Explore molecular osteology and the biology of skeletal populations, including discrete traits, distance, diet, disease, and demography.

Case studies and reference resources

Connect the subject matter with five case studies spanning forensic, archaeological, and paleontological investigation:

• Forensic: Homicide: “We Have the Witnesses but No Body.”
• Forensic: Child Abuse, The Skeletal Perspective.
• Archaeological: Anasazi Remains from Cottonwood Canyon.
• Paleontological: The Pit of the Bones.
• Paleontological: Australopithecus Mandible from Maka, Ethiopia.

An appendix on Photographic Methods and Provenance, along with a glossary, bibliography, and index, supports further study and reference.

Who this is for

For students, educators, and professionals studying human osteology, skeletal anatomy, anthropology, archaeology, paleontology, or forensic skeletal analysis. Its coverage is relevant to readers seeking both anatomical foundations and an understanding of how skeletal remains are handled, assessed, and interpreted.

Details

• Authors: Michael T. Black, Pieter A. Folkens, Tim D. White
• Edition: 3
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Brand: Orthopedics Library
• Published date: 2011-01-21
• Pages: 688
• ISBNs: 9780080920856, 0080920853

Strengthen your osteology reference collection. Add Human Osteology, Third Edition to your Topreads order and explore human skeletal anatomy alongside its investigative applications.