Adipocere: A waxy substance formed from fat during decomposition, often referred to as “bone wax.” Difficult to remove once formed.
Articulation: The arrangement of bones in their natural positions, often for display or study purposes.
Bone Wax: Another term for adipocere, a greasy, wax-like residue that can form on bones during decomposition.
Calcium Phosphate: The primary mineral component of bones that provides rigidity and strength.
Cartilage: Flexible connective tissue found in joints and other parts of the skeleton, often decayed during preparation.
Cranium: The skull, excluding the mandible, that encloses and protects the brain.
Degreasing: The process of removing fats and oils from bones to prevent discolouration and deterioration over time.
Defleshing: The removal of flesh and soft tissue from a carcass to expose the bones.
Dermestid Beetles: A species of beetle used in bone preparation that feeds on flesh, leaving clean bones behind.
Disarticulation: The separation of bones at their joints, either during the decomposition process or manually for study.
Epiphysis: The rounded end of a long bone, which often fuses with the shaft during growth.
Foramen: An opening or hole in a bone that allows nerves and blood vessels to pass through.
Hydroxyapatite: A mineral compound that forms the structural component of bone, giving it hardness and strength.
Ligament: Tough connective tissue that connects bones to other bones, which must often be removed during preparation.
Maceration: The soaking of a carcass in water to allow bacteria to break down soft tissues, aiding in defleshing.
Mandible: The lower jawbone in vertebrates, often used as a key element in species identification.
Marrow: The soft tissue found inside bones, which must often be cleaned out during preparation.
Metacarpal/Metatarsal: The long bones in the hands or feet, often used for species identification.
Ossification: The process of bone formation, which can be studied to determine the age of a specimen.
Osteoblast: A type of cell responsible for bone formation, often studied in the context of bone growth and repair.
Osteoclast: A cell that breaks down bone tissue, playing a role in bone remodelling and repair.
Osteology: The scientific study of bones and skeletal systems.
Osteon: The structural unit of compact bone, visible under a microscope, used in forensic and archaeological analysis.
Periosteum: The thin, vascular tissue layer covering the surface of bones, which can be removed during the preparation process.
Postcranial Skeleton: The portion of the skeleton excluding the skull, often studied separately in osteology.
Preservation: Techniques used to protect bones from degradation, including cleaning, degreasing, and whitening.
Ramus: A branch or extension of a bone, commonly seen in the mandible or pelvis.
Skeletonisation: The complete removal of soft tissues from a carcass, leaving only the bones.
Whitening: A cosmetic process to lighten bones, typically using hydrogen peroxide, for a cleaner appearance.
Zygomatic Arch: The cheekbone structure that forms part of the skull, commonly studied in mammalian osteology.