Replica Human Skull – Cribra Orbitalia|Porotic Hyperostosis

Porotic hyperostosis and cribra orbitalia are porous lesions of the cranial bones linked with metabolic or generalized nutritional stress. It is claimed to be caused by iron deficiency anemia, dietary deficits, infectious illness, and/or poor sanitation. More recent reports, meanwhile, point to hemolytic and megaloblastic anemias as more plausible causes of porotic hyperostosis.

Porotic hyperostosis manifests as porous patches on the skull vault and cribra orbitalia as porous patches in the orbits. This skull demonstrates porotic hyperostosis of the posterior frontal bone, which crosses the coronal suture into the left parietal bone. A tiny quarter-sized defect is noted on the right parietal bone. Cribra orbitalia is evident on the roof of the left eye orbit.