title: Epiphyseal union of the cervical vertebral centra: its relationship to skeletal age and maturation of thoracic vertebral centra.
abstract: Epiphyseal union stages for cervical vertebral centra (ring epiphyses) were documented for 55 individuals (females and males, ages 14-27 years) from the Terry Collection, using the Albert and Maples method 1, to examine both its relationship to age at death and to thoracic data collected from the same individuals using the same method. Results showed a moderate correlation between cervical ring union and age (r = 0.63, p = 0.000), and a fairly low correlation between cervical and thoracic ring union (r = 0.41, p = 0.002). Paired samples t-tests yielded a statistically significant difference between cervical and thoracic union mean values (p = 0.01). Union progressed earlier in cervical vertebrae and in females. Results indicated fairly substantial variation in both sexes. Findings may serve as a basic guideline for estimating a general age range at death for unknown skeletal remains and to corroborate findings from other skeletal age indicators.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anthropology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, NC, 28403-5907.
authors.forename: Midori A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Maier
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton / Q000379:methods*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000254:growth & development*; D004838:Epiphyses / Q000254:growth & development; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010012:Osteogenesis; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000254:growth & development*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: age estimation; epiphyseal union; forensic anthropology; forensic science; skeletal age; skeletal maturation; vertebra