Osteogenesis of forearm and hand - a valid criterion for determining biological age

Abstract

The paper deals with basic principles for assessment of general morphological differentiation of human organism (biological age). A detailed description is given of forearm and hand osteogenesis which can serve as criterions for determination of bone age for children and adolescents. The influence of sex hormones upon the growth and development of bones at various stages of sex maturation of adolescents is described. Bone tissue differentiation peculiarities, namely the order and terms for debut of ossification foci and synastoses in various parts of the skeleton objectively reflecting the processes of growth and development of children can be supravitally determined rentgenologically and are considered to be among the most reliable indicators for determining biological age. Skeletal age is the most objective reflection of growth and development processes, it gives opportunity to assess the adolescents sex development level. The understanding of bones’ growth and development processes is a basis for individual approach during examination, treatment and rehabilitation of children patients.