Ageing the juvenile skeleton

Question 1

Types of bone formation

Answer 1

Intermembranous
Endochondral
Perichondral

Question 2

The skull

Answer 2

Fetal/neonatal skull has 45
bones

Fuse gradually into 29
identifiable bones in the adult skull.

Occipital is one of earliest bones to fuse (by age 7)

Question 3

Overall growth patterns of the skull

Answer 3

Changes markedly over
development.

Newborn cranial capacity
~340cm3

Adult cranial capacity 1400-
1500cm3

Facial skeleton becomes more prognathic and bones also fuse together

Question 4

Mandible

Answer 4

Grows markedly and chin develops

Two sets of teeth-deciduous and permanent

Question 5

Appearance and fusion of post cranial bones

Answer 5

Varies across the body

Many parts have a cartilaginous portion which gradually ossifies

Centres of ossification are
generally there by birth for most bones

Question 6

The hand

Answer 6

Very cartilaginous at birth
Gradually replaced by bone.
Forensic uses controversial

Question 7

The foot

Answer 7

Very cartilaginous at birth
Gradually replaced by bone.