Supernumerary epiphyses in the macaque (Macaca nemestrina).

The frequency, age distribution and development of supernumerary epiphyses in the hand and foot were radiographically documented in 98 macaque fetuses and infants. Extra epiphyses were observed only on distal metacarpal 1 and metatarsal 1, and were present in 15% of a cross-sectional sample and 20% of a longitudinal sample. They appeared coincidentally with the ossification of other secondary epiphyses of the hand and foot. Development of extra epiphyses in this species seems to be a normal phenomenon.