The lower end of the femur has an epiphyseal ossification center that is present from birth and is used as a medicolegal indicator of:
- A Live birth versus stillbirth (Breslau's vital node test equivalent)
- B Age 3 years for pediatric age estimation
- C Full term gestation (presence indicates >36 weeks gestation) ✓
- D Completion of the pubertal growth spurt
Correct answer: C. Full term gestation (presence indicates >36 weeks gestation)
Explanation
The distal femoral epiphyseal ossification center (Béclard's epiphysis) appears at 36 weeks gestation and is consistently present at full term. Its presence on X-ray of a fetus or newborn indicates gestational age of at least 36 weeks (approaching full-term). Similarly, the upper tibial epiphysis (Chassard's epiphysis) appears at approximately 38–40 weeks. In medico-legal contexts, the presence of Béclard's center indicates the infant was likely full-term. The proximal humeral epiphysis appears later, around birth to 6 months postnatally.
Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.