Skeletal changes produced by aortic aneurysms.

The three major types of aortic aneurysms--arteriosclerotic, syphilitic, and dissecting are disussed in relation to the skeletal changes they produce. The favored location, age, and sex predilection are described for each type. Four documented cases from the Hamann-Todd osteological collection are presented with a description of the associated skeletal changes. All four cases appear to be the result of syphilitic infection. These documented cases provide forensic and physical anthropologists with a means of diagnosing aortic aneurysms in modern, historic, and prehistoric human skeletal remains.