The early development of the human skeleton: a radiographic study of fetuses impregnated with silver nitrate

The use of a silver nitrate impregnation technique and radiography for delineation of the bones of the developing skeleton is not widely known. Using this method, a study of skeleton development was undertaken over a three-year period and special attention was paid to 20 fetuses under the age of 16 weeks. The dates at which ossification in cartilage occurred and the sequence of bone development were noted. Although the technique may be used to delineate skeletal dysplasias in the stillborn, it is best suited to fetuses aged 9--20 weeks. It may become possible to show the earliest age at which bone dysplasias affect the skeleton though this is speculative at the moment.