<unk>  is the degree of maturation of a child's<unk> s. As a person grows from fetal life through childhood, puberty, and finishes growth as a young adult, the<unk> s of the skeleton change in size and shape. These changes can be seen by x-ray techniques. The<unk> " of a child is the average age at which children reach various stages of<unk>  maturation. A child's current height and<unk>  can be used to predict adult height. For most people, their<unk>  is the same as their biological age but for some individuals, their<unk>  is a couple of years older or younger. Those with advanced<unk> s typically hit a growth spurt early on but stop growing sooner, while those with delayed<unk> s hit their growth spurt later than normal. Children who are below average height do not necessarily have a delayed<unk> ; in fact their<unk>  could actually be advanced which if left untreated, will stunt their growth. At birth, only the metaphyses of the "long<unk> s" are present. The long<unk> s are those that grow primarily by elongation at an epiphysis at one end of the growing<unk> . The long<unk> s include the femurs, tibias, and fibulas of the lower limb, the humeri, radii, and ulnas of the upper limb (arm + forearm), and the phalanges of the fingers and toes. The long<unk> s of the leg comprise nearly half of adult height. The other primary skeletal component of height is the spine and skull. As a child grows the epiphyses become calcified and appear on the x-rays, as do the carpal and tarsal<unk> s of the hands and feet, separated on the x-rays by a layer of invisible cartilage where most of the growth is occurring. As sex steroid levels rise during puberty,<unk>  maturation accelerates. As growth nears conclusion and attainment of adult height,<unk> s begin to approach the size and shape of adult<unk> s. The remaining cartilaginous portions of the epiphyses become thinner. As these cartilaginous zones become obliterated, the epiphyses are said to be "closed" and no further lengthening of the<unk> s will occur. A small amount of spinal growth concludes an adolescent's growth. Pediatric endocrinologists frequently order<unk>  x-rays to evaluate children for advanced or delayed growth and physical development. These are interpreted by pediatric radiologists, physicians who are experts in using medical imaging for pediatric diagnosis and therapy.
Bone age
Metabolic age
Bone density
Sex after pregnancy
Human height
Menstrual cycle
Body composition
Body fat percentage