Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The onset of ossification in the human calcaneus

  • Published:
Anatomy and Embryology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

A (silver) radiographic and microscopic study of the onset of ossification in the calcaneus of 177 human fetuses between 49 and 150 mm C.-R. length has revealed the presence of two independent and developmentally different ossific sites. A lateral locus, intramembranous (parachondral) in origin and precocious in appearance, was observed in slightly over 16% of the fetuses examined between 93 mm (the first appearance of this bone) and 150 mm C.-R. It occupied the vascular connective tissue within the anterior portion of a distinct groove on the inferolateral wall of the cartilaginous calcaneus between the retrotrochlear eminence anterosuperiorly, and the lateral process of the tuber posteroinferiorly. A centrally situated, primary ossific centre, endochondral in origin, was detected in only 11% of the fetuses between 118 mm (the initial appearance of this centre) and 150 mm C.-R. It was situated in the centre of the anterior third of the cartilaginous calcaneus in relatin to the sustentaculum tali medially and to a distinct cartilaginous prominence on its lateral surface. Only four fetuses possessed both ossific sites (lateral and central): at 122, 143, 145, and 150 mm C.-R., and in only one of these was continuity established between them. One fetus (122 mm) possessed two independent endochondral centres (superior and inferior).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Refences

  • Allen, B.: An x-ray study of the development of the ossification centers of the skeletal system. Radiology 7, 398–409 (1926)

    Google Scholar 

  • Andersen, H.: Crown-rump length versus gestational age of the normal human fetus. In: Limb Development and Deformity (C. A. Swinyard, ed.), pp. 22–23. Springfield, Illinois: Thomas, 1969

    Google Scholar 

  • Bardeen, C.R.: Studies of the development of the human skeleton. Amer. J. Anat. 4, 265–302 (1905)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergamaschi, P., Coucourde, F.: Studio radiologico dello sviluppo osseo fetal. La Radiolog. Med. 46, 898–921 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Birmingham Revision. Final report of the committee appointed by the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland on June 22, 1928. Glasgow: Maclehose and Company, 1933

    Google Scholar 

  • Bossy, J., Katz, J.M.: Croissance segmentaire d'une série de 100 foetus humains. An. Desarrollo 12, 181–213 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd, E.: Outline of Physical Growth and Development. Minneapolis: Burgess, 1941

    Google Scholar 

  • Caffey, J.: Pediatric X-Ray Diagnosis. Vol. 2, 6th ed. Chicago: Yearbook Medical Publishers, Inc., 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Čihák, R.: Ontogenesis of the skeleton and intrinsic muscles of the human hand and foot. Ergebn. Anat. Entwickl.-Gesch. 46, 1–194 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dorland, W., Hubeny, M.: The X-Ray in Embryology and Obstetrics. London: H. Kimpton, 1926

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, M.E.: The relations of the peroneal tendons to the fibula, calcaneus, and cuboideum. Amer. J. Anat. 42, 213–242 (1928)

    Google Scholar 

  • Elmiger, P.: Die Frühentwicklung der Scapula beim Menschen. Acta anat. 65, 58–137 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Flecker, H.: Time of appearance and fusion of ossification centers as observed by roentgenographic methods. Amer. J. Roentgen. 47, 97–159 (1942)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, E.: Osteogenesis in the human embryo and fetus. In: The Biochemistry and Physiology of Bone (G. H. Bourne, ed.), 2nd ed., pp. 77–118. New York: Academic Press, 1971

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, E., Gray, D.J., O'Rahilly, R.: The prenatal development of the skeleton and joints of the human foot. J. Bone Jt Surg. A41, 847–876 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Güntz, E., Schlüter, K.: Dysplasia of the neural arch with its clinical manifestation (spondylolisthesis). Clin. Orthopaed. 8, 71–90 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Halonen, L.: Rontgenologisch-anatomische Untersuchungen über die Entwicklung der Knochen der freien Extremitäten beim Menschen. I. Die Extremitätenknochen der Feten. Acta Soc. Med. Fennic. “Duodecim” 11, 1–151 (1929)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hasselwander, A.: Untersuchungen über die Ossification des menschlichen Fußskelets. Z. Morph. Anthropol. 5, 438–508 (1903)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hintzsche, E.: Untersuchungen and Stützgeweben. II. Über Knochenbildungsfaktoren, insbesonders über den Anteil der Blutgefässe an der Ossifikation. Z. mikr.-anat. Forsch. 14, 373–440 (1928)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hintzsche, E.: Beiträge zur Entwicklung des menschlichen Fersenbeines. Z. mikr.-anat. Forsch. 21, 531–551 (1930)

    Google Scholar 

  • Horand, R.: Vision du squelette d'un corps diaphaise par la méthode de Schultze. Étude de l'ossification du squelette, du développement des vaisseaux, de la graisse, du pigment sanguin et du pigment autochtone du corps. humain. Rev. d'Orthop. 19, 535–543 (1908)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jit, J.: Observation on prenatal ossification with special reference to the bones of the hand and foot. J. anat. Soc. India 6, 12–23 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  • Koff, R.: Norms of ossification of the bones of the extremity. Thesis, Univ. of Minnesota, 1932

  • Köhler, A., Zimmer, E.A.: Borderlands of the Normal and Early Pathologic in Skeletal Roentgenology. 3rd American ed. (S. P. Wilk, ed.). New York: Grune & Stratton, 1968

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambertz: Die Entwicklung des menschlichen Knochergerüstes während des fötalen Lebens dargestellt an Röntgenbildern, Fortschr. Röntgenstr. Ergänzungsheft I (1900)

  • Lee, K.J.: Investigation of the ossification center of the extremities. Korean Anthrop. Rep. 26, 62–96 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mall, F.P.: On ossification centers in human embryos less than one hundred days old. Amer. J. Anat. 5, 433–458 (1906)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mall, F.P.: On measuring human embryos. Anat. Rec. 1, 129–140 (1907)

    Google Scholar 

  • Marti, T.: Die Skelettvarietäten des Fusses. Ihre klinische und unfallmedizinische Bedeutung. Bern: H. Huber, 1947

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, D.B., O'Rahilly, R.: Multiple techniques in the study of the onset of prenatal ossification. Anat. Rec. 132, 181–194 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  • Noback, C.R.: The developmental anatomy of the human osseous skeleton during the embryonic, fetal and circumnatal periods. Anat. Rec. 88, 91–125 (1944)

    Google Scholar 

  • Noback, C.R., Robertson, G.G.: Sequences of appearance of ossification centers in the human skeleton during the first five prenatal months. Amer. J. Anat. 89, 1–28 (1951)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nomina anatomica. Amsterdam: Excerpta medica, 3rd ed. 1966

  • Olivier, G.: Formation du squelette des membres chez l'homme. Paris: Vigot, 1962

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Rahilly, R.: A survey of carpal and tarsal anomalies. J. Bone Jt Surg. A35, 626–642 (1953)

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Rahilly, R.: Development deviations in the carpus and tarsus. Clin. Orthop. 10, 9–18 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Rahilly, R.: Prenatal development. In. N.J. Giannestras, The Human Foot. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Rahilly, R., Gardner, E.: The timing and sequence of events in the development of the limbs in the human embryo. Anat. Embryol. 148, 1–23 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Rahilly, R., Gardner, E., Gray, D.J.: The skeletal development of the foot. Clin. Orthop. 16, 7–14 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Rahilly, R., Meyer, D.B.: Roentgenographic investigation of the human skeleton during early fetal life. Amer. J. Roentgen. 76, 445–468 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Porstmann, W., Arenz, J.: Beitrag zu den akzessorischen Tarsalelementen am Calcaneus. Fortschr. Röntgenstr. 81, 95 (1954)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruckensteiner, E.: Die normale Entwicklung des Knochensystems im Röntgenbild. Radiol. Praktika 15, 1–79 (1931)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rückert, J.: Über die Ossifikation des menschlichen Fußskeletts. Sitzungsb. König. Bay. Akad. Wissensch. Math.-Nat. 11, 65–72 (1901)

    Google Scholar 

  • Salathé, B.: Über die ersten Ossifikationsvorgänge en einem platten Knochen, dem os ilium, bei menschlichen Embryonen. Acta anat. 77, 361–397 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Scammon, R.E., Calkins, L.A.: Development and growth of the external dimensions of the human body in the foetal period. Minneapolis: Univ. of Minn. Press, 1929

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlüter, A.: Drei Fälle von Calcaneus bipartitus im Kindesalter. Arch. Ortho. Unfall.-Chir. 45, 122–125 (1952)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlüter, K.: Der “Calcaneus bifidus”, eine Ossifikationsanomalie des Fersenbeines im Hackenplattfuss. Fortschr. Röntgenstr. 85, 720–727 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schomburg, H.: Untersuchung der Entwicklung der Muskeln und Knochen des menschlichen Fusses an Serienschnitten und Rekonstruktionen und unter Zuhülfenahme makroskopischer Präparation. Göttingen: W. Fr. Kaestner, 1900

    Google Scholar 

  • Schultze, O.: Ueber Herstellung und Conservierung dursichtiger Embryonen zum Studium der Skeletbildung. Verh. Anat. Gesellsch. XI Versamml. in Gent. Anat. Anz. 13, 3–5 (1897)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sever, J.W.: Bifid os calcis. Surg. Gyn.Obst. 50, 1012–1013 (1930)

    Google Scholar 

  • Smola, E.: Der calcaneus bifidus. Fortschr. Röntgenstr. 85, 120 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stieda, L.: Der M. Peroneus longus und die Fussknochen. Anat. Anz. 4, 600–607 (1889)

    Google Scholar 

  • Streeter, G.L.: Weight, sitting height, head size, foot length, and menstrual age of the human embryo. Contrib. Embryol. Carneg. Instn 11, 143–170 (1920)

    Google Scholar 

  • Trolle, D.: Age of foetus determined from its measurements. Acta obstet. gynecol. Scand. 27, 327–337 (1947)

    Google Scholar 

  • Trolle, D.: Accessory Bones of the Human Foot. Copenhagen: Munksgaard, 1948

    Google Scholar 

  • Weidenreich, F.: Der Menschenfuss. Z. Morph. Anthrop. 22, 51–282 (1922)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zawisch, C.: Die Morpho- und Histogenese der menschlichen Scapula. Acta anat. 22, 300–328 (1954)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zawisch, C.: Missverhältnis zwischen den am aufgehellten Ganzembryo und den aus histologischembryologischen Schnittserien gewonnenen Ossifikationdaten. Anat. Anz. 102, 305–316 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan

    David B. Meyer & Ronan O'Rahilly

  2. Carnegie Laboratories of Embryology and Department of Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis, USA

    David B. Meyer & Ronan O'Rahilly

Authors
  1. David B. Meyer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ronan O'Rahilly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Supported in part by research programme project grant No. HD-08658, Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S.A.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Meyer, D.B., O'Rahilly, R. The onset of ossification in the human calcaneus. Anat. Embryol. 150, 19–33 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00346283

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00346283

Key words

Search

Navigation