20235501(en)/7 - Bone Morphological Changes in the Vertebral Column of Hunter-Gatherers from the Southern Extreme of La Plata Basin (Argentina)
BONE MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN OF HUNTER-GATHERERS FROM THE SOUTHERN EXTREME OF LA PLATA BASIN (ARGENTINA)
CAMBIOS MORFOLÓGICOS ÓSEOS EN LA COLUMNA VERTEBRAL DE CAZADORES-RECOLECTORES DEL EXTREMO MERIDIONAL DE LA CUENCA DEL PLATA (ARGENTINA)
Bárbara Mazza
Several biological and mechanical factors produce morphological changes in the spine’s articular surfaces, some of apathological order. This work aims to determine the factors that interacted in the presence and distribution of marginal osteophytes, Schmörl’s nodules, and degenerative disc disease in the vertebral bodies, and of marginal osteophytes, porosity, eburnation, remodeling of margins, and degenerative joint disease in the zygapophyses of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral sectors of hunter- gatherers from the southern extreme of La Plata basin (Argentina). Forty-one adult individuals of both sexes were analyzed through bivariate statistical tests, generalized linear models and principal component analysis. The results corroborate the multifactorial etiology. Age and, possibly, genetic factors influenced bone changes and joint pathologies. Also, most of the distribution patterns of bone changes correspond to the expected pattern according to the spine’s curvature and the mechanical pressures imposed by our bipedal posture. However, some differences between the sexes and the presence of bone changes among young adults (20-35 years) could be due to a differentiation in daily activities with their onset during adolescence.
