What are the three racial categories of skeletal structures?
It can be extremely difficult to determine the true race of a skeleton. This is due to several factors: First, forensic anthropologists generally use a three-race model to categorize skeletal traits: European, Asian, and African.
Is there a difference in the skulls of different races?
The size and shape of the skull varies for different races.. The science of assigning race based on skull features is called craniofacial anthropometry. Forensic anthropologists determine identification by developing a biological profile, as skulls within racial groups have traits in common.
What determines skeletal structure?
In general, there are three factors that contribute to strength: bone mass, geometry (the size, shape, and distribution of material), and the material properties of the bone tissue itself.
Which race has the highest rate of osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis can occur in persons of all races and ethnicities. In general, however, whites (especially of northern European descent) and Asians are at increased risk. In particular, non-Hispanic white women and Asian women are at higher risk for osteoporosis.
What is ethnicity is it the same as race?
“Race” is usually associated with biology and linked with physical characteristics such as skin color or hair texture. “Ethnicity” is linked with cultural expression and identification. However, both are social constructs used to categorize and characterize seemingly distinct populations.
What affects bone structure?
A diet low in calcium contributes to diminished bone density, early bone loss and an increased risk of fractures. Physical activity. People who are physically inactive have a higher risk of osteoporosis than do their more-active counterparts. Tobacco and alcohol use.
Is bone structure genetic?
Genes control about 60% to 75% of the variance of peak bone mass/density and a much smaller proportion of the variance in rate of loss. Genetic influence on bone mass/density are mediated in large part by body size, bone size, and muscle mass.
Does race affect bone density?
Adjusted bone density at various skeletal sites was 4.5–16.1% higher for black than for white men and was 1.2–7.3% higher for black than for white women. We concluded that racial differences in bone mineral density are not accounted for by clinical or biochemical variables measured in early adulthood.
Does ethnicity affect bone density?
The need to improve bone health is critical for all ethnic and racial groups, as well as both sexes. The prevalence of osteoporosis is influenced by ethnicity and race. African Americans have both lower rates of osteoporosis and higher bone mass. However, the consequences of fracture are not lower in this ethnic group.
How does an ethnic minority differ from a race quizlet?
Race is used to describe biological differences between groups of people (physical) while ethnicity is used to distinguish groups of people based on their culture and heritage (cultural).
Are there skeletal differences between black and white women?
Skeletal differences exist between closely matched Black and White women, although it is unknown if similar differences also exist between Black and White men after controlling for age, body weight, and stature.
How are bone density different in different races?
Bones in Different Races This graph shows the average bone density for African American (Black) men and women and for Caucasian (White) men and women. The bone density is quite a bit higher in the African Americans. It is also higher in men than in women. Asian persons tend to have bone density that is as low or even lower than Caucasians.
Can a skeleton be used to determine race?
Platycnemia, femoral curvature and other morphological attributes of the post-cranial skeleton may be used in support of a racial determination; however, several investigators have turned to post-cranial elements not only to use in support of cranial findings but for use when cranial information is not available.
How is the race of a human determined?
The race and sex of the human skull can be determined by craniometry. Different studies in racial variation, such as morphological variation, and both anthroposcopic and anthropometric methods, make useful contributions to the practice within modern forensic anthropology of determining racial affinity from human crania.