A Degenerative Form of Osteoarthritis in a Harlan's Ground Sloth |
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On the left is a normal neck vertebra from a Harlan's ground sloth (Paramylodon harlani). The flat and circular area in the center of the vertebra is very smooth and was where the cartilage disk prevented it from coming into contact with the other bones. The vertebra on the right, however, has deep pitting at its center. This indicates a severe (and very painful) fracture and degeneration of the cartilage disk after a forceful compression of the neck vertebrae (commonly called "Slipping or rupturing a disk.").
More Information on the Harlan's Ground Sloth
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