Question

Skeletal remains are discovered at an archeological site. X-rays of the femur show evidence of a thin epiphyseal plate. This bone likely belonged to which of the following?

A) 60 year old male
B) 25 year old female
C) 18 year old male
D) 8 year old female

Answer 1

The skeletal remains with a thin epiphyseal plate on the femur likely belong to C) an 18 year old male, as this is consistent with the approximate timing of epiphyseal plate closure for males.

Step-by-step explanation:

The skeletal remains with evidence of a thin epiphyseal plate on the femur X-rays would most likely belong to an individual who is at an age where growth is nearing completion but the epiphyseal plates have not fully ossified into an epiphyseal line. Considering that long bones stop growing and the epiphyseal plates close at around the age of 18 in females and 21 in males, the remains with a thin epiphyseal plate probably belong to either a late adolescent or a young adult. In this case, option B) a 25 year old female is incorrect because her epiphyseal plates would likely have already fused into a line, while option A) a 60 year old male is certainly incorrect as the plates would have fused many years prior. Option D) an 8 year old female is unlikely as her epiphyseal plates would appear wider and not thin. Therefore, the most likely option is C) an 18 year old male, as his age is consistent with the timing of epiphyseal plate closure.