1. Determining Age using Bones

2. How bones show AGE # of bones (adults have fewer) Condition
Growth plate vs epiphyseal line

3. Epiphysis – end of long bone
Epiphysis line-growth plate
Fused – bones joined together

4. Sutures Sagittal-open less than 35 yrs
Lambdoidal-starts at 21-closes at 30 yrs
Coronal-closed at 50 yrs

5. X-ray of Bone Growth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Plvd7eslg-Q

6. 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

8. Young or Old?

9. What to Look For? In people over 20:
Epiphysis on sternal end of clavicle is last epiphysis to fuse at approximately 30 years

11. What to Look For? Over 30: Look for deterioration Less dense bones
More porous bones
Normal X-ray
Osteoporosis X-ray

12. Best Bone for Age?
The pelvis!

13. Ischium and Pubis
Ischium and pubis are almost completely united (7-8 years)

14. 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)

15. Sacrum
Two lowest segments of sacral vertebrae are joined together (18 years)
All segments of sacrum are united (25-30 years)

16. Back View of Sacrum

17. Head and Tuberosities
Head and tuberosities are more defined at birth and join to become one epiphysis (6 years)

18. Condyles
Radial head, trochlea and external condyle blend to unite with shaft (16-17)
Internal condyle unites with shaft (18)

19. Upper Epiphysis
Upper epiphysis unites with shaft (20)

20. Changes in Femur
Parts of the Femur

21. 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