1. Determining Age using Bones
Notes on page 103

2. Definitions
Epiphysis - The end of a long bone that is originally separated from the main bone by a layer of cartilage but that later becomes united to the main bone through ossification
Fused – bones joined together
Fully ossified – when all cartlidge at end of bones as been converted to bone and growth is done

3. What to Look For? If the person is young: Length of the bones
Fusion of epiphysis
Cartilaginous caps on the ends of
long bones
Allow bones to grow as we age
Fuse together as we age
Bones aren’t as strong before
they fuse
Status of the teeth

4. Young or Old?

5. What to Look For? In people over 20:
Epiphysis on sternal end of clavicle is last epiphysis to fuse at approximately 30 years
Sternal ends of 4th rib change
Look at depth of pitting

6. What to Look For?
Over 30:
Look for deterioration (I’m deteriorating!!!)
Look for lower back problems
Less dense bones
More porous bones
Normal X-ray
Osteoporosis X-ray

7. Best Bone for Age? The pelvis!
Two lowest segments of sacral vertebrae are joined together? (18)
Ileum, ishium and pubis are joined together? (13-14)
Ischium and pubis are almost completely united? (7-8)
Ileum, ischium and pubis fully ossified? (no epiphyseal unions) (20-25)
All segments of sacrum are united? (25-30)

8. Changes in Humerus
Humeral Head
Greater Tuberosity
Head and tuberosities are more defined at birth and join to become one epiphysis (6 years)
Radial head, trochlea and external condyle blend to unite with shaft (16-17)
Internal condyle unites with shaft (18)
Upper epiphysis unites with shaft (20)
Internal Condyle
External Condyle
Radial Head
Trochlea

9. Changes in Femur Greater trochanter appears at age 4
Lesser trochanter appears at ages 13-14
Head, greater and lesser trochanters join the shaft at age 18
Condyles join shaft at age 20