title: Maxillary suture obliteration: aging the human skeleton based on intact or fragmentary maxilla.
abstract: Obliteration of the four sutures of the bony palate is examined to determine its value as an age indicator. Thirty-six maxillae from a predominately white series representing both sexes and a wide variety of ages are studied. It is concluded that the amount of obliteration of these sutures is useful in estimating general biological age.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D003393:Cranial Sutures / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012886:Skull / Q000473:pathology*