M2: The Biological Profile
LECTURE 11
Adult Age Assessment
1) EPIPHYSEAL FUSION
2) SKULL
a. Cranial Suture Closure
3) OS COXAE
ADULT AGING a. Pubic Symphysis
TECHNIQUES b. Auricular Surface
4) STERNAL RIB ENDS
a. 1st Rib
b. 4th Rib
When considering the epiphyses fusion chart
from the last lecture and lab…
There are two epiphyseal unions that
happen in adults
EPIPHYSEAL (1) Spheno-Occipital
UNION Synchondrosis starts at 18-
19 years old and can take into
the 20s to finish
(2) Clavicle: Medial Epiphysis
AGING THE Based on deterioration of joint surface
The Specific ones to focus on include
ADULT
PUBIC SYMPHYSIS
SKELETON AURICULAR SURFACE
BASED ON JOINT STERNAL RIB ENDS
DETERIORATION
Pubic symphysis age estimation is one of the standard assessment
techniques used
SYMPHYSIS a very fibrous non-mobile joint
In a Young Person it has a wavelike, billowed appearance, the
lower margin is poorly defined
In a Older Person Margins are well-defined, no wavelike patterns,
porous, edges have pieces of bone hanging off of it indicating joint
deuteriation
PUBIC Pubic Symphysis aging reflect a
SYMPHYSIS delayed fusion of an epiphysis
that occurs in humans
Billows are covered and filled
with new bone
Then after filled deterioration commences
Deterioration can be expressed as POROSITY & LIPPING
LIPPING little “out-growths” of bone”
Easy to apply observation standards
Pubic Symphysis can be very easily damaged
, M2: The Biological Profile
Maximum age is about 50 years-old
MORPHOLOGICA
L CHANGES IN
PUBIC
SYMPHYSIS
YOUNG – billowed, poorly defined
OLD – flat, craggy, porous, well-defined
“AURICULAR” ear-shaped
Joint is located on the medial aspect of the os coxa
Forms articulation with sacrum
YOUNG surface billowed, granular in
appearance, marginal lipping
Reduction in billowing
Loss of Granularity
OLD (55+) billowing absent; irregular
surface; marginal lipping gone
AURICULAR Very Difficult to Distinguish in Photos
SURFACE Forensic Anthropologist rely more of
tactile sensation and feeling the
auricular surface to distinguish
between options
Should feel differences in surface
texture GRANULARITY
Difficult to apply growth standard
Auricular surface damages easily but less so than the pubic symphysis
Can age individuals older than 60 Years-Old
LECTURE 11
Adult Age Assessment
1) EPIPHYSEAL FUSION
2) SKULL
a. Cranial Suture Closure
3) OS COXAE
ADULT AGING a. Pubic Symphysis
TECHNIQUES b. Auricular Surface
4) STERNAL RIB ENDS
a. 1st Rib
b. 4th Rib
When considering the epiphyses fusion chart
from the last lecture and lab…
There are two epiphyseal unions that
happen in adults
EPIPHYSEAL (1) Spheno-Occipital
UNION Synchondrosis starts at 18-
19 years old and can take into
the 20s to finish
(2) Clavicle: Medial Epiphysis
AGING THE Based on deterioration of joint surface
The Specific ones to focus on include
ADULT
PUBIC SYMPHYSIS
SKELETON AURICULAR SURFACE
BASED ON JOINT STERNAL RIB ENDS
DETERIORATION
Pubic symphysis age estimation is one of the standard assessment
techniques used
SYMPHYSIS a very fibrous non-mobile joint
In a Young Person it has a wavelike, billowed appearance, the
lower margin is poorly defined
In a Older Person Margins are well-defined, no wavelike patterns,
porous, edges have pieces of bone hanging off of it indicating joint
deuteriation
PUBIC Pubic Symphysis aging reflect a
SYMPHYSIS delayed fusion of an epiphysis
that occurs in humans
Billows are covered and filled
with new bone
Then after filled deterioration commences
Deterioration can be expressed as POROSITY & LIPPING
LIPPING little “out-growths” of bone”
Easy to apply observation standards
Pubic Symphysis can be very easily damaged
, M2: The Biological Profile
Maximum age is about 50 years-old
MORPHOLOGICA
L CHANGES IN
PUBIC
SYMPHYSIS
YOUNG – billowed, poorly defined
OLD – flat, craggy, porous, well-defined
“AURICULAR” ear-shaped
Joint is located on the medial aspect of the os coxa
Forms articulation with sacrum
YOUNG surface billowed, granular in
appearance, marginal lipping
Reduction in billowing
Loss of Granularity
OLD (55+) billowing absent; irregular
surface; marginal lipping gone
AURICULAR Very Difficult to Distinguish in Photos
SURFACE Forensic Anthropologist rely more of
tactile sensation and feeling the
auricular surface to distinguish
between options
Should feel differences in surface
texture GRANULARITY
Difficult to apply growth standard
Auricular surface damages easily but less so than the pubic symphysis
Can age individuals older than 60 Years-Old
