Cave Bear

This a European cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) jaw with one sort of pathology. The first molar (m1) is lost, and the alveolus is filled in with bone. I believe that this suggests that the tooth was lost soon after it erupted, allowing the bone to heal completely.

There is no obvious evidence of a bone infection at the site, but notice how the premolar (p4) is oriented in the jaw. The long axis of that tooth is set at an angle to the tooth row. I think that this is further evidence of trauma to the jaw at a young age.

European cave bears had only four cheek teeth, having lost three of four lower premolars as they evolved. (The brown bear, Ursus arctos, has lost two and retained two lower premolars.)