The supracondylar process in subadult skeletal remains from Northern Italy (15th–18th century A.D.)

This paper presents five uncommon examples of the supracondylar process in subadult skeletal remains from archaeological contexts. Human skeletal remains were recovered from the Baptistery of Settimo Vittone (Italy) that date to the 15th–18th centuries. A bony process was noted at the distal end of five immature humeri. The specimens were examined morphologically, and the following measurements were taken: length of the process and distance from the tip of the process to the medial epicondyle. The distal end of three right and two left immature humeri, from three full-term individuals and two adolescents, revealed different stages of an unusual supracondylar bony outgrowth projecting from the anteromedial surface of the diaphysis. The processes in three individuals presented as a pointed bony spur, whereas in two cases, they appeared as bony ridges. The process was present more in right humeri and in one case occurred bilaterally. The supracondylar process begins its formation in the intrauterine period and continues throughout life, presenting as variable degrees of development. The occurrence of supracondylar process in very young individuals suggests the congenital nature of the trait, rather than a consequence of biomechanical stress. This case study describes a bony variant in humeri that has not been extensively discussed in the anthropological literature and provides evidence on the appearance of the supracondylar process in immature individuals. Also, an interesting presumed case of bilaterality is described: the asymmetry of the processes brings the aetiology of the trait into question. The small number of individuals presenting the supracondylar process does not allow a study of the incidence of this trait in this population sample. Furthermore, fragmentation of some remains precluded accurate measurements and age estimation. Additional studies on larger samples would help clarify the congenital and hereditary nature of the supracondylar process and the clinical implications in young individuals.