Potential case of gynecomastia in mummified remains of an early modern period northern finnish vicar

Clin Anat. 2018 Jul;31(5):641-644. doi: 10.1002/ca.23187. Epub 2018 May 25.

Abstract

We report possibly the oldest evidence of gynecomastia in mummified human remains. Computed tomography was performed on the mummified remains of an early 17th century Northern Finnish vicar. The examination of the scans revealed large bilateral subareolar irregular masses resembling female mammary glands. The nearly septuagenarian vicar appears to have had gynecomastia, as it is a common condition in elderly men, and is sometimes associated with obesity. Gynecomastia is the most likely explanation for these findings. Clin. Anat. 31:641-644, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Keywords: Northern Finland; anatomy; archaeology; early modernity; gynecomastia; mummified remains; paleontology; radiology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Gynecomastia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mummies / diagnostic imaging*