OSSIFICATION OF THE BONES OF THE LOWER LIMB. 



137 



Epiphyses are likewise formed in the cartilage of the crest of the ilium, the tuberosity of the 

 ischium, the anterior inferior spine of the ilium, and the symphysis pubis. These begin to 

 ossify soon after puberty, and unite with the main bone from the 23rd to the 25th year. 



The pel i- is of the foetus and young child is of very small capacity in proportion to the size 

 of the body, and those viscera which are afterwards contained for the most part in the true 



Fig. 159. OSSIFICATION OF THE FEMUR. (R. Quain.) 



A, from a foetus under eight months ; the body is osseous, both ends are cartilaginous. 



B, from a child at birth, showing a nucleus in the lower epiphysis. 



C, from a child of about a year old, showing a nucleus in the head. 



D, at the fifth year ; a nucleus has appeared in the great trochanter. 



E, near the age of puberty, showing a nucleus hi the lesser trochanter. 



1, shaft ; 2, lower extremity ; 3, head ; 4, great trochanter ; 5, small trochanter. 

 C, D, & E are represented considerably, A & B very little, under the natural size. 



Fig. 160. OSSIFICATION OF THE TIBIA. (R. Quain.) 



A, some weeks before birth ; the shaft is ossified, the ends are cartilaginous. 



B, at birth, showing a nucleus in the upper epiphysis. 



C, at the third year, showing the nucleus of the lower epiphysis. 



D, at about eighteen or twenty years, showing the lower epiphysis united, while the upper remains 

 separate. The upper epiphysis is seen to include the tubercle. 



E, shows an example of a separate centre for the tubercle. 



1, shaft ; 2, superior epiphysis ; 2*, separate centre for the tubercle ; 3, inferior epiphysis. 



pelvis occupy a part of the abdominal cavity. The inclination of the pelvis is considerably 

 'greater in early life than in the adult. 



The femur is developed from one principal ossific centre for the shaft which appears in the 



