Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Evidence of congenital block vertebra in Pleistocene Cave Bear (Ursus spelaeus) from Cueva de Guantes (Palencia, Spain).

OBJECTIVE: This work provides a detailed description and differential diagnosis of a Pleistocene cave bear (Ursus spelaeus).

MATERIALS: The specimen was recovered at the Cueva de Guantes archaeo- paleontological site, located in the North of the Iberian Peninsula and dated to more than 30k yr BP.

METHODS: The study was carried out by macroscopic and radiological analysis.

RESULTS: The specimen has unusual morphology, with two vertebrae (C6-C7) connected in the ventrodorsal projection by osseous tissue, without a space or disruption between them. However, a separation is visible in the dorsoventral projection. Moreover, C7 shows a "wedge-shape" conformation.

CONCLUSIONS: The lack of clear radiological and macroscopic evidence of degenerative processes and trauma suggests a congenital anomaly or pathology. The short height of the ventral margin of the block and evidence of a radiological 'waist' lead us to propose congenital block vertebra (CBV) as the most likely diagnosis.

SIGNIFICANCE: The Cueva de Guantes specimen would be the first reported evidence of CBV in a Pleistocene cave bear (Ursus spelaeus).

LIMITATIONS: All diagnosis of archaeological animal remains should be undertaken with caution, especially when based on partial remains, as in this case. Moreover, this specimen lacks the neural arches of C6 and C7, preventing evaluation of the vertebral foramina.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Intensive review of cave bear skeletal collections is advised to find new cases and perform an epidemiological approach to the palaeopathology of cave bears.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app