A wrist radiograph of a child is obtained to estimate skeletal age for medicolegal purposes. Ossification centres of all carpal bones are visible except one. The carpal bone that ossifies LAST, and therefore helps place the child near 12 years of age, is the:
- A Capitate
- B Hamate
- C Pisiform ✓
- D Trapezium
Correct answer: C. Pisiform
Explanation
The capitate and hamate are the first carpal bones to ossify, appearing within the first six months of life, and the trapezium follows around five to six years. The pisiform is the last carpal bone to appear, at about 10 to 12 years, so its absence in an otherwise mature wrist places the child below roughly 12 years. Carpal sequence is a standard component of skeletal age assessment in the medicolegal estimation of age in children.
Reference: Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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