Key Points
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Presents a virtually unknown relic and explains its importance to Christian and ethnomedical tradition.
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Uses a paleodontological approach in an attempt to scientifically evaluate this relic phenomenon.
Abstract
Aim To anatomically identify and describe the changes on the tooth of St Apollonia which is kept as a relic in Rab (Croatia). Sources and methods Reviewing relevant literature, macroscopic examination of the tooth in the reliquary, photographing and further examining the enlarged photos. Results The tooth in question is the first upper right premolar. Observed pathological change is type II enamel lesion, ie cervical or gingival caries. Other discovered characteristics are enamel fracture on the distoaproximal surface, shallow fracture on the occlusal third of the crown and two enamel formations, a cluster of smooth and shiny enamel surfaces. Conclusion Attention is drawn to a relic that was previously virtually unknown. It is presented how important this relic is for Christian and ethnomedical tradition. Additionally, anatomical determination and the description of pathoanatomical changes are used to affirm the anthropological approach as one of the prerequisites in the attempt to scientifically evaluate the relic phenomenon.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to give special thanks to Mr Mladen Mrakovcic, the priest from Rab, for his guidance and direct help with researching and photographing the relic as well as with publishing the pictures in this paper.
Big thanks goes to Dr Ado Dorosev, Mrs Catherine Vanden Broecke and Mr Jean-Luc Dubart from Tournai for information on how St Apollonia is honoured in their parts.
This work is part of research within the project by the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia entitled 'Medicinal elements in the religious tradition in Rijeka Archdiocese'.
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Skrobonja, A., Rotschild, V. & Culina, T. St Apollonias tooth - a relic in the cathedral treasury in Rab (Croatia). Br Dent J 207, 499–502 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2009.1012
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2009.1012
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