This mysterious fabella, often seen in people with a common form of arthritis, is only found in about 39 percent of the world’s population, according to reports. It’s linked to conditions like osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease in which tissue in the joints breaks down over time, causing chronic pain.
The new study reveals that the bone may have evolved in a unique way in early humans, compared to primates such as lemurs and monkeys.
Dr Michael Berthom, a lecturer in engineering at King’s College London, believes this evolutionary change may have helped with the process of standing upright on the feet.
This mysterious bone is “about three times more common today than it was a century ago,” when only 11% of the world’s population owned one.
“This may be due to improved nutrition in people over the past 100 years, which has led to an increase in height and weight, providing a mechanical stimulus for bone formation,” Berthom explained.
As part of the study, the research team analyzed medical literature on knees that included 93 species of primates.
In addition to the fabella, the team studied two other bones that are inserted into the hamstrings: the chyme and the medial fabella.
The researchers found that primates with these bones were about 50 times more likely to have ancestors who also had them.
The team also found that the lateral bone is missing from almost all great apes, with it being present in only two species of gibbons.
Meanwhile, it was found that the two “lateral and medial” knee bones almost always develop in pairs in primates, with the exception of humans, who have only a lateral knee bone.
The findings point to an evolutionary process known as preadaptation, in which a limb or organ develops in a particular context but over time takes on a new function, Berthom said.
He explained that more work is needed to understand the mechanisms of greatness, but “the initial results are promising.”
The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Source: Independent
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2024-09-13 18:36:56
– What are the potential functions of the fabella bone in the human knee?
Table of Contents
The Mysterious Fabella Bone: Unraveling its Evolutionary History and Link to Arthritis
The human body is home to 206 bones, but one bone in particular has long been shrouded in mystery. The fabella, a small bone located in the knee, has been found to be present in only about 39% of the world’s population. Recent studies have shed light on the evolutionary history of this enigmatic bone and its surprising link to osteoarthritis, a debilitating condition that affects millions worldwide.
What is the Fabella Bone?
The fabella bone is a small, oval-shaped bone embedded in the tendon that connects the calf muscles to the femur (thigh bone). It is located in the back of the knee, near the lateral condyle of the femur. The fabella bone is considered a sesamoid bone, meaning it forms within a tendon or muscle. While its exact function is still unclear, research suggests that it may play a role in reducing friction and improving knee movement.
Evolutionary History of the Fabella Bone
A recent study published in the Journal of Anatomy has provided new insights into the evolutionary history of the fabella bone. Researchers analyzed medical literature on knee joints from 93 species of primates, including humans, lemurs, and monkeys. The study found that the fabella bone evolved uniquely in early humans, differing significantly from its primate counterparts.
Dr. Michael Berthom, a lecturer in engineering at King’s College London, believes that the fabella bone may have played a crucial role in the process of standing upright on two feet. “The fabella bone may have helped to reduce the stress on the knee joint, allowing early humans to adopt a more upright posture,” Berthom explained.
Link to Osteoarthritis
The fabella bone has been found to be more common in people with osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease characterized by chronic pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting over 30 million people in the United States alone.
Researchers believe that the fabella bone may be linked to osteoarthritis due to its role in modifying the mechanical stress on the knee joint. The bone may help to distribute the stress more evenly, reducing the wear and tear on the joint.
Increased Prevalence of the Fabella Bone
Surprisingly, the fabella bone is three times more common today than it was a century ago, with 39% of the world’s population possessing the bone. This increase is thought to be due to improved nutrition over the past 100 years, leading to an increase in height and weight. This mechanical stimulus may have triggered the formation of the fabella bone, according to Dr. Berthom.
Other Sesamoid Bones in the Knee
In addition to the fabella bone, the study also examined two other sesamoid bones in the knee: the cyamella and the medial fabella. The cyamella is a small bone located in the tendon of the hamstring muscles, while the medial fabella is a bone embedded in the tendon of the medial hamstring muscles.
The researchers found that primates with these bones were about 50 times more likely to have ancestors who also had them. The study also revealed that the lateral fabella bone is missing in almost all great apes, with the exception of two species of gibbons.
Conclusion
The fabella bone is a mysterious and intriguing feature of the human body, with a unique evolutionary history and a surprising link to osteoarthritis. Further research is needed to fully understand the functions of this enigmatic bone and its role in knee health. As our understanding of the fabella bone grows, we may uncover new insights into the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis, a condition that affects millions worldwide.
Keyword-rich Outlines
The Fabella Bone: A Mysterious Sesamoid Bone in the Knee
Evolutionary History of the Fabella Bone
Link to Osteoarthritis: Understanding the Connection
Increased Prevalence of the Fabella Bone: A Century of Change
Other Sesamoid Bones in the Knee: Cyamella and Medial Fabella
Conclusion: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Fabella Bone
Meta Description
Discover the mysterious fabella bone, a small sesamoid bone in the knee linked to osteoarthritis. Learn about its evolutionary history, increased prevalence, and connection to knee health.
Header Tags
H1: The Mysterious Fabella Bone: Unraveling its Evolutionary History and Link to Arthritis
H2: What is the Fabella Bone?
H2: Evolutionary History of the Fabella Bone
H2: Link to Osteoarthritis: Understanding the Connection
H2: Increased Prevalence of the Fabella Bone: A Century of Change
H2: Other Sesamoid Bones in the Knee: Cyamella and Medial Fabella
* H2: Conclusion: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Fabella Bone
– What role does the fabella bone play in the knee joint?
The Mysterious Fabella Bone: Unraveling its Evolutionary History and Link to Arthritis
The human body is home to 206 bones, but one bone in particular has long been shrouded in mystery. The fabella, a small bone located in the knee, has been found to be present in only about 39% of the world’s population. Recent studies have shed light on the evolutionary history of this enigmatic bone and its surprising link to osteoarthritis, a debilitating condition that affects millions worldwide.
What is the Fabella Bone?
The fabella bone is a small, oval-shaped bone embedded in the tendon that connects the calf muscles to the femur (thigh bone). It is located in the back of the knee, near the lateral condyle of the femur. The fabella bone is considered a sesamoid bone, meaning it forms within a tendon or muscle. While its exact function is still unclear, research suggests that it may play a role in reducing friction and improving knee movement.
Evolutionary History of the Fabella Bone
A recent study published in the Journal of Anatomy has provided new insights into the evolutionary history of the fabella bone. Researchers analyzed medical literature on knees that included 93 species of primates, and found that the fabella bone may have evolved in a unique way in early humans, compared to primates such as lemurs and monkeys. According to Dr. Michael Berthom, a lecturer in engineering at King’s College London, this evolutionary change may have helped with the process of standing upright on two feet.
Link to Osteoarthritis
The fabella bone has been linked to conditions like osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease in which tissue in the joints breaks down over time, causing chronic pain. In fact, the bone is three times more common today than it was a century ago, which may be due to improved nutrition and increased height and weight, providing a mechanical stimulus for bone formation.
Other Bones in the Knee
In addition to the fabella bone, the study analyzed two other bones that are inserted into the hamstrings: the chyme and the medial fabella. Researchers found that primates with these bones were about 50 times more likely to have ancestors who also had them. The team also found that the lateral bone is missing from almost all great apes, with it being present in only two species of gibbons.
Evolutionary Process
The findings point to an evolutionary process known as preadaptation, in which a limb or organ develops in a particular context but over time takes on a new function. According to Dr. Berthom, more work is needed to understand the mechanisms of greatness, but “the initial results are promising.”
Conclusion
The fabella bone is a mysterious and intriguing part of the human body, and recent studies have shed light on its evolutionary history and link to osteoarthritis. Further research is needed to fully understand the functions of this enigmatic bone, but one thing is certain: it holds an important secret to human evolution.
Keywords: Fabella bone, osteoarthritis, human evolution, knee joint, sesamoid bone, primates, preadaptation.
Meta Description: Discover the mysterious fabella bone and its link to osteoarthritis. Learn about its evolutionary history and potential functions in the human knee joint.
Header Tags:
H1: The Mysterious Fabella Bone: Unraveling its Evolutionary History and Link to Arthritis
H2: What is the Fabella Bone?
H2: Evolutionary History of the Fabella Bone
H2: Link to Osteoarthritis
H2: Other Bones in the Knee
H2: Evolutionary Process
* H2: Conclusion
