Do the regions of the spinal column record stress differently? An analysis of diminished growth in the vertebral neural canal

Abstract

Objective: This study explores the validity of the focus on lumbar vertebral neural canal (VNC) diameters as a non-specific stress indicator by comparing evidence of diminished growth between vertebral regions.

Materials: Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar VNC diameters were measured from 29 children (3-18 years) from the Certosa collection, a documented late 19th century skeletal assemblage.

Methods: Z-scores were calculated for each individual vertebra using published anterior-posterior (APD) and transverse (TRD) vertebral diameters obtained from radiographic images of living children. Differences in mean APD and TRD z-scores between vertebral regions were assessed using Repeated Measures ANOVA.

Results: Cervical TRD growth reduction was significantly greater than in the lumbar (p ≤ 0.001) and thoracic regions (p ≤ 0.001), which did not differ significantly (p = 0.524). Mean lumbar APD values were lower than cervical values, but not significantly (F[1,20]=2.259, p = 0.148).

Conclusions: Contrary to current methodological practices, cervical vertebrae TRD showed more diminished growth than thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, while analysis of cervical APD indicates that these vertebrae may be as informative about non-specific stress as lumbar vertebrae.

Significance: An exclusionary focus on lumbar vertebrae could overlook growth insults recorded by the earlier developing cervical vertebrae. This article demonstrates the benefit of reevaluating past research and methodological practices in paleopathology.

Limitations: The use of comparative data from living children may not be applicable to growth in non-surviving children. Magnification may impact the comparability of data from radiographs with manual measurements.

Suggestions for further research: Future research using comparative data from magnification-free sources and including the thoracic APD is advised.

Keywords: Biocultural; Children; Development; Stunting.