Identification: fetal age and ossification: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Forensic Medicine · Identification: fetal age and ossification

Sample item

Skeletal remains of a newborn are found in a drain. The forensic expert wants to know whether the fetus had reached near-term maturity. Presence of the ossification centre at which site suggests this?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Lower end of the femur

The centre at the lower end of the femur (Beclard's nucleus) appears around the 36th week of intrauterine life, so its presence indicates a mature or near-term fetus. The lower tibial end, capitate and distal radial centres appear after birth.

Option by option

  • A. Lower end of the femur (correct)

    Correct. The lower femoral epiphysis appears at about 9 months of intrauterine life.

  • B. Lower end of the tibia

    The lower tibial epiphysis appears at about one year after birth, so it cannot indicate term.

  • C. Capitate

    The capitate ossifies in early infancy, after birth.

  • D. Lower end of the radius

    The distal radial epiphysis appears at about one year of age.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Lower end of the femur. The centre at the lower end of the femur (Beclard's nucleus) appears around the 36th week of intrauterine life, so its presence indicates a mature or near-term fetus.

Why is "Lower end of the tibia" not the answer?

The lower tibial epiphysis appears at about one year after birth, so it cannot indicate term.

Why is "Capitate" not the answer?

The capitate ossifies in early infancy, after birth.

Why is "Lower end of the radius" not the answer?

The distal radial epiphysis appears at about one year of age.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Identification: fetal age and ossification in Forensic Medicine. The lower tibial end, capitate and distal radial centres appear after birth.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Identification: fetal age and ossification?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.