In assessment of skeletal age, based on cervical vertebrae, as seen in lateral cephalometric radiograph, stage 3 indicates:
Vertebral ages can be calculated from the image of the cervical vertebrae seen in a lateral cephalometric radiograph.

(A) Diagrammatic drawings and relationships of the stages to the peak of mandibular growth.
(B) Stage 2, indicating that peak growth at adolescence is still a year or so ahead.
(C) Stage 3, which on average occurs less than 1 year prior to peak growth.
(D) Stage 4, typically a year or so beyond peak growth.
(E) Stage 5, more than 1 year beyond the peak of the growth spurt, probably with more vertical than anteroposterior growth remaining.
(F) Stage 6, more than 2 years beyond peak growth (but a patient with a severe skeletal problem, especially excessive mandibular growth, is not necessarily ready for surgery; the best way to determine the cessation of growth is serial cephalometric radiographs).
More than one year beyond peak growth
No growth
Less than one year prior to peak growth
Peak growth still a year or so ahead