The elbow joint has a specific sequence of ossification centre appearance remembered by the mnemonic CRITOE. In which order do the following centres appear: capitellum (C), radial head (R), internal (medial) epicondyle (I), trochlea (T), olecranon (O), external (lateral) epicondyle (E)?

• A 1, 5, 3, 7, 9, 11 years respectively
• B 1, 3, 7, 5, 9, 11 years approximately
• C 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 years respectively ✓
• D 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 years respectively

Explanation

The CRITOE mnemonic represents the approximate ages of appearance of elbow ossification centres: Capitellum (1 year), Radial head (3 years), Internal (medial) epicondyle (5 years), Trochlea (7 years), Olecranon (9 years), External (lateral) epicondyle (11 years) — at approximately odd years 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11. Clinically, if the medial epicondyle (I) appears trapped inside the joint after elbow dislocation and the trochlea (T) appears but I is absent, the medial epicondyle is likely incarcerated in the joint.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.