What is the function of the epiphyseal plate in a long bone?
What is the function of the epiphyseal plate in a long bone?
The epiphyseal plate is the area of growth in a long bone. It is a layer of hyaline cartilage where ossification occurs in immature bones. On the epiphyseal side of the epiphyseal plate, cartilage is formed. On the diaphyseal side, cartilage is ossified, allowing the diaphysis to grow in length.
Where is the epiphyseal plate located in a long bone?
metaphysis
The epiphyseal plate (or epiphysial plate, physis, or growth plate) is a hyaline cartilage plate in the metaphysis at each end of a long bone.
How many epiphyseal plates are in a long bone?
Overview of Growth Plate Injuries The growth plate is the area of tissue near the ends of long bones in children and teens that determines the future length and shape of the mature bone. Each long bone has at least two growth plates, one at each end, and they are longer than they are wide.
Why are epiphyseal plate important?
The epiphyseal growth plate is the main site of longitudinal growth of the long bones. At this site, cartilage is formed by the proliferation and hypertrophy of cells and synthesis of the typical extracellular matrix.
Where does a long bone grow in length?
the epiphyseal plate
Bone Growth Bones grow in length at the epiphyseal plate by a process that is similar to endochondral ossification. The cartilage in the region of the epiphyseal plate next to the epiphysis continues to grow by mitosis.
Which bones have epiphyseal plates?
Growth Plates
- the femur (thighbone)
- the lower legs (tibia and fibula)
- the forearm (radius and ulna)
- the bones in the hands and feet.
How does long bone growth occurs at the epiphyseal plates?
Bones grow in length at the epiphyseal plate by a process that is similar to endochondral ossification. The cartilage in the region of the epiphyseal plate next to the epiphysis continues to grow by mitosis. The chondrocytes, in the region next to the diaphysis, age and degenerate.
What happens to epiphyseal plates at puberty?
Estrogen and testosterone release at puberty initiates closure of the epiphyseal plates. When bone growth is complete, the epiphyseal cartilage is replaced with bone, which joins it to the diaphysis. Fractures of the epiphyseal plates in children can lead to slow bone growth or limb shortening.
What are Epiphyses filled with?
At the joint, the epiphysis is covered with articular cartilage; below that covering is a zone similar to the epiphyseal plate, known as subchondral bone. The epiphysis is filled with red bone marrow, which produces erythrocytes (red blood cells).
