Age estimation of adolescent and young adult male and female skeletons II, epiphyseal union at the upper limb and scapular girdle in a modern Portuguese skeletal sample

Abstract

This study completes previously reported ages for timing of epiphyseal union in the postcranial skeleton in a recent sample, with data from the scapula, clavicle, humerus, radius, and ulna. A sample of 121 individuals between the ages of 9 and 29 (females = 65, males = 56) was derived from the Lisbon documented skeletal collection. Epiphyseal union was scored at 16 anatomical locations, using a three-stage scheme: 1) no union; 2) partial union; and 3) completed union, all traces of fusion having disappeared. In the upper limb, the epiphyses of the elbow are the first to fuse at around 11 to 15 years of age, followed by those of the shoulder and wrist. In the scapular girdle, the coracoid area is the first to fuse, followed by the glenoid surface and remaining epiphyses, with the medial clavicle fusing last, by the age of 25-27. There is a sex difference in maturation, with females showing an advance relative to males of about 2 years in the upper limb. Sex differences in maturation are less noticeable in the scapular girdle, but data suggest that females are also ahead of males. Results suggest overall similar age ranges for stages of union as previous dry bone observations, but some studies show significant divergences which seem to derive from methodological issues. Although some radiographic reference standards provide comparable age ranges, they should probably be avoided when aging skeletal remains.