skeleton

Framework identification

An evidence-qualified identification of the material as an internal skeleton or part of one.

1. Which observable anatomical features support identifying this material as a skeleton or skeletal element? definition
2. Which organism attribution is supported, by what reference or examination, and with what uncertainty? provenance

Element belonging

Records supported and disputed associations between elements and individuals.

1. What recovery records, anatomical matches or other observations support assigning these elements to the same individual? provenance
2. Do duplicate sided elements, incompatible sizes or conflicting context indicate that some elements must remain separately attributed? boundary

Represented anatomy

A region-by-region account of skeletal coverage without conflating absence with lack of observation.

1. Which elements, sides and portions are identified, and which fragments remain unassigned? measurement
2. For each expected but unrecorded element, is it demonstrably absent, inaccessible, unpreserved or simply not yet examined? boundary

Articulation evidence

Distinguishes preserved anatomical relationships from proposed or constructed arrangements.

1. Which connections are observed in place, inferred from matching surfaces or imposed by reconstruction? provenance
2. Which orientations or connections remain uncertain enough to prevent a confident reconstruction? boundary

Landmarked dimensions

Measurements tied to identifiable anatomical landmarks and observation methods.

1. Which lengths, angles or proportions matter for the intended comparison, and how are their landmarks defined? measurement
2. How do missing portions, deformation or imaging limitations affect each reported measurement? measurement

Variation assessment

Records features such as fusion, asymmetry and unusual element form with appropriate comparison limits.

1. Which fusion states, asymmetries or unusual forms are directly observed, and which are obscured or reconstructed? measurement
2. What suitable comparative evidence is needed before interpreting these features as developmental variation or a pathological change? boundary

Damage and stability

A localised account of defects and their implications for support or handling.

1. Where are cracks, breaks, deformation, surface loss or unstable fragments present, and how extensive are they? measurement
2. Which elements or connections need support or further assessment before loading, repositioning or handling? action

Alteration history

Separates directly observed alterations from tentative accounts of biological change, post-mortem damage or preparation.

1. What observations or records support attributing an alteration to change during life, post-mortem processes or later preparation? provenance
2. Which competing explanations remain unresolved, and what examination could distinguish them? boundary

Examination plan

An examination and handling approach tied to the skeletal question and physical context.

1. Is the skeleton within a living organism, exposed in situ or held as a specimen, and how does that constrain access? boundary
2. Which examination method or supported movement can answer the current anatomical question, given the identified fragile regions and access constraints? action

Intervention decision

A reviewable decision about sampling, repair, mounting, reconstruction or referral for clinical intervention.

1. Which skeletal element and portion would the proposed action alter, and what anatomical or future analytical evidence could it remove or obscure? action
2. What consent, custodial authority or qualified assessment applies to this skeleton and the specific proposed intervention? action
3. How will introduced supports, replacement elements or removed samples remain traceable to their original anatomical locations? provenance

Kinds and varieties

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these kinds and varieties hold for the sense of skeleton this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Identifiers and schemes

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these identifiers and schemes hold for the sense of skeleton this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Standards and regulation

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these standards and regulation hold for the sense of skeleton this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Real-world use

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of skeleton this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Typical measurements

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these typical measurements hold for the sense of skeleton this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Failure modes and hazards

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of skeleton this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Regional variation

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these regional variation hold for the sense of skeleton this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of skeleton this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance