The ossification of the metacarpal and phalangeal bones in human foetuses

Abstract

An evaluation was made of the ossification level of the metacarpal and phalangeal bones in human foetuses of both sexes from the 4^th to the 9^th month of gestation. Our results indicate that ossification of phalangeal bones 1 to 5 always started at the distal end of the phalanx and endochondral ossification prevailed in the proximal phalanx of the thumb.