Elbow Ossification Centers Mnemonic – CRITOE

This is a commonly used mnemonic to recall the elbow ossification centers (CRITOE 1/3/5/7/9/11):

Capitellum – 1 year

Radial head – 3 years

Internal (medial) epicondyle – 5 years

Trochlea – 7 years

Olecranon – 9 years

External (Lateral) epicondyle – 11 years

NOTE: always remember when using this mnemonic that the order of appearance is much more reliable than the age of appearance.