Bone Age at 14 Years: Boy and Girl Hand X-Ray Reference
These reference radiographs show the typical appearance of the hand and wrist of a 14 year old boy and a 14 year old girl for bone age assessment. In adolescence the story of the hand radiograph is fusion. Growth plates close in a predictable sequence that starts at the distal phalanges and moves proximally, with girls completing each step about two years before boys. Reading the pattern of open and closed physes gives a precise skeletal age.
14 year old boy hand x-ray
In boys fusion typically begins around 15 to 16 years, starting with the distal phalanges. At the earlier end of this window the physes are open but capped, and by the later end the phalangeal plates are closing while the distal radius and ulna remain open.
14 year old girl hand x-ray
In girls fusion is well advanced during these years. Distal phalangeal fusion often starts around 14 years, followed by the middle and proximal phalanges and metacarpals. By 16 years many girls show near complete fusion apart from the distal radius and ulna.
What to look for at 14 years
- Fusion starts at the distal phalanges and proceeds proximally
- Girls begin fusion around 14 years, boys around 15.5 to 16 years
- Metacarpal and proximal phalangeal fusion follow in sequence
- Distal radius and ulna are the last growth plates to close
How to use these reference images
Obtain a PA radiograph of the left hand and wrist and compare it side by side with the reference image for the matching sex. If the patient’s radiograph looks more mature, move to an older reference; if it looks less mature, move to a younger one. The best match gives the estimated bone age, which you can then combine with chronological age and current height to predict adult height.
Neighbouring ages: Bone Age at 13 Years and Bone Age at 15 Years. Browse every age point in the complete bone age atlas by age.