Ossification centers of the hand

Last revised by Leonardo Lustosa ◉ on 21 Jul 2021

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Hacking C, Lustosa L, Ossification centers of the hand. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 21 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-83305

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-83305

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/83305?embed_domain=external.radpair.com%25252527%2525255b0%2525255d%25252527%2525255b0%2525255d

rID:

83305

Article created:

19 Oct 2020, Craig Hacking ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.

View Craig Hacking's current disclosures

Last revised:

21 Jul 2021, Leonardo Lustosa ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Leonardo Lustosa had no recorded disclosures.

View Leonardo Lustosa's current disclosures

Revisions:

3 times, by 2 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Musculoskeletal, Paediatrics

Sections:

Anatomy

Primary ossification centers present at birth

Visible on x-ray from birth:

metacarpal diaphyses: 9 weeks in utero
phalangeal diaphyses: 9-12 weeks in utero

Primary ossification centers developing after birth

Ossification of the carpal bones occurs in a predictable sequence, starting with the capitate and ending with the pisiform.

At birth, there is no calcification in the carpal bones. Although there is great individual variability, approximate ossification times are as follows (visible on x-ray):

capitate: 1-3 months
hamate: 2-4 months
triquetral: 2-3 years
lunate: 2-4 years
scaphoid: 4-6 years
trapezium: 4-6 years
trapezoid: 4-6 years
pisiform: 8-12 years

Excluding the pisiform, a handy way to remember the order of ossification is to start at the capitate then move in an counterclockwise direction on the volar surface of the right carpus.