Reproduction
Object numberRCSHC/P 610
Scientific nameHomo sapiens
CollectionHunterian
CategoryDry preparations
Object nameTibia, osteomyelitis, Morbid Anatomy of Bones, Mounted dry bone
DescriptionA right tibia showing necrosis of a large part of the shaft and heavy involucrum formation as a consequence of acute osteomyelitis.
On the anterior of the bone a large aperture in the heavy involucrum covering the majority of the shaft reveals the necrosed shaft of the femur. This sequestrum has exfoliated but has been retained by the involucrum surrounding the cavity. A small sinus has opened on the posterior of the medial condyle that would have spread the infection to the knee joint. Other than this both joints appear to have been unaffected by the osteomyelitis of the bone.
Such heavy deposits on the bone would suggest that the acute infection has become chronic in its nature.
Production date Estimated 1760 - Estimated 1793
Preparator
Owner/user
presented
Physical Location
LocationOn display in the Hunterian Museum, Room 4: The Long Gallery
Physical Information
Physical descriptionDry preparation of bone mounted in a circular glass jar with opaque lid, possibly pitch bladder sealed.
Materialglass (material)
Dimensions
whole height: 406 mm
whole diameter: 96 mm
whole weight: 1414 g
whole diameter: 96 mm
whole weight: 1414 g
Bibliography
SourceProger 1966-1972
Vol. 2, page 36.
NotesText taken from Stanley & Paget (1846-9), Paget (1882-5), and Shattock (1909-19).
TranscriptA tibia of which a portion, about ten inches long, comprising part of the cancellous tissue of the head and nearly the whole thickness of the shaft, suffered necrosis. The sequestrum is completely separated, but is held in its place by the incomplete case of bone composed of the adjacent surviving parts of the shaft and the new bone formed on them. A small ulcerated opening leads into the knee-joint. On some parts of the sequestrum are portions of new bone, probably deposited before its death.
SourceClift 1830 Part 2
NotesCatalogue number is 403.
TranscriptA tibia, in which only a very small part of the original bone remains. At the upper end a portion of the newly formed bone is removed, to expose a small remaining sequestrum contained in a cavity from which several fistulous canals lead to the external surface of the bone.
