On a lateral radiograph of the elbow in a child, the ossification centers appear in which sequence?

• A Olecranon → Capitellum → Radial head → Trochlea → Epicondyles
• B Internal epicondyle → External epicondyle → Capitellum → Trochlea → Olecranon → Radial head
• C Trochlea → Capitellum → Radial head → Olecranon → Epicondyles — TCREO
• D Capitellum → Radial head → Internal (medial) epicondyle → Trochlea → Olecranon → External (lateral) epicondyle — CRITOE ✓

Explanation

The elbow ossification centers appear in a predictable sequence remembered by the mnemonic CRITOE: Capitellum (1 year), Radial head (3 years), Internal/medial epicondyle (5 years), Trochlea (7 years), Olecranon (9 years), External/lateral epicondyle (11 years). Each center appears approximately two years after the previous one. This sequence is critical for identifying fractures — if an ossification center appears out of sequence, an avulsion fracture should be suspected.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.