A medicolegal autopsy is performed on the skeleton of a suspected stillborn infant. Which set of tarsal bones normally shows ossification at or immediately before birth?
- A Calcaneus, talus and cuboid ✓
- B Calcaneus and talus only
- C All seven tarsal bones
- D Only the calcaneus
Correct answer: A. Calcaneus, talus and cuboid
Explanation
The calcaneus begins ossifying in the sixth fetal month, the talus in the seventh, and the cuboid just before or shortly after birth. These three are therefore ossified at birth, while navicular, cuneiforms and the remaining tarsals ossify postnatally. This pattern helps distinguish a full term infant from a preterm one on radiograph.
Reference: Gray's Anatomy, 42nd ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.