Study of stafne's defects in Late Neolithic, Late Roman, Medieval and Modern skeletal samples from Portugal

• DOI: 10.1002/oa.1216
• Publication Date: 2010-10-11T11:03:26Z
• Authors: Sofia N. Wasterlain; Ana Maria Silva
• Keywords: Mandible (arthropod mouthpart)

ABSTRACT Lingual mandibular cortical defects (Stafne's defects) are relatively uncommon in recent as well past populations, but while this condition is often discussed clinical reports, they rarely the subject of anthropological research. In paper, prevalence Stafne's bone skeletal samples from Late Neolithic, Roman, Medieval and Modern Portugal investigated ( N = 704 complete mandibles 111 incomplete mandibles). The aims paper threefold: (1) to present analyse for first time Portuguese osteological record data on defect, (2) variations defect between a wide temporal array (3) verify if more tenuous lesions which resorption lingual cortex was not yet extensive had classic radiographic appearance described by Stafne order validate hypothesis that clinically many cases than published figures indicate. all cases, differential diagnosis against other conditions mimic defects, namely odontogenic lesions, cysts neoplasms, done. samples, evidence occurred 12 individuals (1.7%), males (2.84%) were frequently affected females (0.61%). When considered, only one left fragment (0.90%) exhibited defect. Accurate identification examples antiquity thought represent an important contribution elucidate factors may be responsible trait's cultural, ecological, geographical patterning. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.