Reproduction
Object numberRCSHC/P 804
Scientific nameHomo sapiens
CollectionHunterian
CategoryDry preparations
Object nameSkeleton, fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, Morbid Anatomy of Bones - Myositis Ossificans, Skeleton, articulated
DescriptionThe skeleton of an adult man, showing bony outgrowths throughout the skeleton as a result of myositis ossificans.
This skeleton was purchased by John Hunter at the auction of the collection of another surgeon, George Hawkins (1752-1783), in 1783. Hunter paid 85 guineas for the skeleton, which was described as being that of a 39 year old man called Mr Jeffs. Hunter's assistant, William Clift, later recalled being told that the skeleton had been buried for seven years before it could be procured, presumably by Hawkins.
In the skull there are small bony outgrowths or osteomata in the following situations: the left supraorbital ridge, the left angle of the lower jaw at the masseteric impression, the left mastoid process, the tabular part of the occipital bone, the posterior extremities of the alveolar border of the superior maxilla, the lower end of the right external pterygoid plate, and inner surface of the right angle of muscle.
In the spine there is osseous ankylosis of the articular processes throughout its length and of the costo-vertebral joints with one or two exceptions in the upper dorsal region. All the lumbar spinous processes and several of the dorsal spines are united by bone at their extremities.
On the posterior aspect of the skeleton two stout columns of bone, one on either side of the midline pass upwards from the pelvis to the shoulder, and are connected in the lumbar region by three transverse bars, which are ankylosed to the spinous processes as they cross the middle line.
Starting at the extremity of the sacrum on the left side and at the impression for the gluteus maximus on the right, the two columns are ankylosed by stout osseous masses to the iliac crests, several of the ribs in the mid- and lower dorsal regions, and to the inferior angles of the scapulae; these terminate superiorly in processes directly forwards towards the neck of the humerus, that on the right side joining a stout column of bone running from the outer end of the spine of the scapula to the deltoid impression of the humerus.
From the front of the symphysis pubis and right ischial tuberosity, two thick bars of bone pass downwards to the linea aspera of the right femur, uniting before joining that bone.
Small bony outgrowths are present at the margins of the articular surfaces of many of the joints, and ankylosis, apparently due to ossification of ligaments, has occurred extensively in the carpal, tarsal and ankle-joints. The fibulae are ankylosed to the tibiae at both extremities. The left elbow-joint is fixed in a position of semiflexion by a thick bar of bone between the olecranon and the shaft of the humerus immediately above the olecranon fossa.
A prominent ridge of bone, resembling an accessory spine, springs from the middle of the left infraspinous fossa, and a similar, smaller process from the right supra-spinous fossa. There is marked thickening of the shafts of the femora immediately below the greater trochanter on the posterior aspect of the bones.
Production date Estimated 1776 - Estimated 1783
Preparator
Owner/user
Owner/user
Patient/subject
presented
Physical Location
LocationOn display in the Hunterian Museum, Room 6: Leicester Square
Physical Information
Physical descriptionDry preparation of bone mounted in perspex cuboid container. Dimensions of container: 1530mm h x 475mm w x 421mm d.
Materialperspex
Dimensions
whole height: 1530 mm
whole width: 475 mm
whole depth: 421 mm
whole width: 475 mm
whole depth: 421 mm
Bibliography
SourceProger 1966-1972
Vol. 2, pages 68-70.
NotesText taken from Hunterian MS. Catalogue.
TranscriptThe skeleton of a man aged 39, who suffered from myositis ossificans. In the skull there are small bony outgrowths or osteomata in the following situations: the left supraorbital ridge, the left angle of the lower jaw at the masseteric impression, the left mastoid process, the tabular part of the occipital bone, the posterior extremities of the alveolar border of the superior maxilla, the lower end of the right external pterygoid plate, and inner surface of the right angle of muscle. In the spine there is osseous ankylosis of the articular processes throughout its length and of the costo-vertebral joints with one or two exceptions in the upper dorsal region. All the lumbar spinous processes and several of the dorsal spines are united by bone at their extremities. On the posterior aspect of the skeleton two stout columns of bone, one on either side of the midline pass upwards from the pelvis to the shoulder girdle, and are connected in the lumbar region by three transverse bars, which are ankylosed to the spinous processes as they cross the middle line. Starting at the extremity of the sacrum on the left side and at the impression for the gluteus maximus on the right, the two columns are ankylosed by stout osseous masses to the iliac crests, several of the ribs in the mid- and lower dorsal regions, and to the inferior angles of the scapulae; and they terminate superiorly in processes directly forwards towards the neck of the humerus, that on the right side joining a stout column of bone running from the outer end of the spine of the scapula to the deltoid impression of the humerus. From the front of the symphysis pubis and right ischial tuberosity, two thick bars of bone pass downwards to the linea aspera of the right femur, uniting before joining that bone. Small bony outgrowths are present at the margins of the articular surfaces of many of the joints, and ankylosis, apparently due to ossification of ligaments, has occurred extensively in the carpal, tarsal and ankle-joints. The fibulae are ankylosed to the tibiae at both extremities. The left elbow-joint is fixed in a position of semiflexion by a thick bar of bone between the olecranon and the shaft of the humerus immediately above the olecranon fossa. A prominent ridge of bone, resembling an accessory spine, springs from the middle of the left infraspinous fossa, and a similar, smaller process from the right supra-spinous fossa. There is marked thickening of the shafts of the femora immediately below the great trochanter on the posterior aspect of the bones.
Notes by William Clift:
"This skeleton was purchased by Mr. Hunter on November 5th 1783 at the sale of Mr. George Hawkin's collection at Hutchins's Auction Rooms, King Street, Covent Garden, for the sum of 85 guineas."
"Mr. R. Haynes (Hunter's dissecting room attendant) told me he had heard Mr. Hunter or Mr. Bell say that the body had been interred seven years before it could be procured; as is evident from the state of the softer parts of most of the bones."
In a partially priced catalogue of this sale, which was purchased at the disposal of Mr Heaviside's collection in 1830, this specimen is listed at Lot 106 - "an anchylosed skeleton". A label pasted inside the box containing the bones stated: "Mr Jeffs, aged 39".
SourceHutchins 1783
7
NotesThe entry in the NHMZL copy of the sale catalogue is annotated 'Jno. Hunter' and 'G-s 85' indicating that it was purchased by Hunter for 85 guineas. No other preparation in the sale fetched more than four pounds, with most going for under one pound.
Transcript106. A skeleton anchylosed.
SourceClift 1830 Part 2
NotesCatalogue number is 534.
TranscriptThe skeleton of a man, thirty-nine years of age, which is very remarkable for the production of ossific growths from many parts, of various dimensions and extent;-some forming exostoses merely, whilst others pass from one part of the skeleton to another, and have thus produced anchylosis or immobility of most of the members. The exostoses may be observed on the os frontis, mastoid process, and occiput, and in other parts of the skeleton where muscles are inserted; as, near the angle of the lower jaw, where the masseter is inserted; at the extremities of the spines of the vertebræ; at the coronoid processes of the ulnæ; in the femur, at the part where the glutæus maximus is implanted; &c. The second, and more extensive kind of ossifications, have in general followed the course of the larger muscles; and may be seen, on the right side, in the situation of the deltoid, joining the clavicle and acromion of the scapula to the humerus; in the situation of the supra-spinatus; and passing from the inferior angle of the scapula to the humerus, in the situation of the teres major and latissimus dorsi. On the back, more extensive ossifications of the muscles appear, which affix the scapulæ on both sides to the sacrum and ilium, and to the spines of the lumbar and dorsal vertebræ. On the left scapula, the ossification of the teres major has not extended quite to the humerus, but the dorsum presents a singular process or ossification with smooth sides, and a flattened overhanging margin, like an auxillary or second spine. From the pelvis, ossifications extend from the sacrum and ilium in the direction of the glutæus magnus; and from the tuber ischii and os pubis, in the course of the biceps and triceps adductor muscles. These extend to the right femur. Ossifications of the tendinous and ligamentous parts appear to be still more common: producing anchylosis of the vertebræ; of the left elbow joint; of the tibia and fibula to each other, on both sides; of the ankle joints; and general consolidation of the bones of the tarsi.
