MorphologicalDevelopment and Maturity Assessment of the Coracoid Process and its fusion siteon the glenoid-coracoid interface

This study investigates the morphological changes of the coracoid process and its metaphyseal surface at the glenoid-coracoid interface, aiming to characterize these transformations across different maturity stages. A total of 26 coracoid epiphyses and 48 coracoid metaphyses from a skeletal sample excavated at the medieval Dominican Convent of San Pablo in Burgos, Spain, were analyzed. The sample was 3D scanned and divided into four distinct maturity groups based on developmental criteria. Utilizing three-dimensional geometric morphometric analysis, two different 3D template configurations were created to capture the shape changes during the development of the coracoid process and its metaphysis, respectively. The analysis included Shape and Form space analysis, allowing for an evaluation of maturity transitions and their interrelationship with size. The research identified the first principal component, both in Shape and Form Spaces Analysis, as the most suitable for elucidating ontogenetic changes in both shape and form. The findings demonstrate a clear, coordinated progression of the coracoid process and coracoid metaphysis morphology from childhood to adolescence, indicating that the morphological changes of the articular surfaces of the coracoid epiphysis influence the changes in the metaphyseal surfaces. By correlating these changes, the study infers potential new methods for estimating skeletal maturity in dry bone contexts. Moreover, this research emphasizes the significance of both size and shape variations in assessing skeletal maturity, with shape differentiation playing a more prominent role in later developmental stages than size. Ultimately, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of skeletal growth patterns and offers valuable insights for refining age estimation methodologies, particularly in anthropological and forensic contexts.