Determining Age using Bones
How bones show AGE # of bones (adults have fewer) Condition Growth plate vs epiphyseal line
Epiphysis – end of long bone Epiphysis line-growth plate Fused – bones joined together
Sutures Sagittal-open less than 35 yrs Lambdoidal-starts at 21-closes at 30 yrs Coronal-closed at 50 yrs
X-ray of Bone Growth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Plvd7eslg-Q http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dV1Bwe2v6c
What to Look For? If the person is young: *Length of the bones (height) *Growth plate (epiphyseal line) Different bones fused at different times in our lives *Status of the teeth
Young or Old?
What to Look For? In people over 20: Epiphysis on sternal end of clavicle is last epiphysis to fuse at approximately 30 years
What to Look For? Over 30: Look for deterioration Less dense bones More porous bones Normal X-ray Osteoporosis X-ray
Best Bone for Age? The pelvis!
Ischium and Pubis Ischium and pubis are almost completely united (7-8 years)
Ileum, Ischium and Pubis Ileum, ischium and pubis are joined together (13-14 years) Ileum, ischium and pubis fully ossified (no epiphyseal unions) (20-25 years)
Sacrum Two lowest segments of sacral vertebrae are joined together (18 years) All segments of sacrum are united (25-30 years)
Back View of Sacrum
Head and Tuberosities Head and tuberosities are more defined at birth and join to become one epiphysis (6 years)
Condyles Radial head, trochlea and external condyle blend to unite with shaft (16-17) Internal condyle unites with shaft (18)
Upper Epiphysis Upper epiphysis unites with shaft (20)
Changes in Femur Parts of the Femur
Trochanters Greater trochanter appears at age 4 Lesser trochanter appears at ages 13-14 Head, greater and lesser trochanters join the shaft at age 18