epiphyses

(noun)

The rounded ends of a long bone at its joint with adjacent bone(s).

Related Terms

  • diaphysis

Examples of epiphyses in the following topics:

  • Growth of Bone

    • The epiphyseal plate is the area of growth in a long bone.
    • On the epiphyseal side of the epiphyseal plate, cartilage is formed.
    • All that remains of the epiphyseal plate is the epiphyseal line .
    • As a bone matures, the epiphyseal plate progresses to an epiphyseal line.
    • (b) Epiphyseal lines are the remnants of epiphyseal plates in a mature bone.
  • Cartilaginous Joints: Synchodroses

    • A temporary form of joint called an epiphyseal (growth) plate, is one where the cartilage is converted into bone before adult life.
    • The epiphyseal plate is a hyaline cartilage plate in the metaphysis at each end of a long bone.
    • The epiphyseal plate is found in children and adolescents.
    • This process leaves only a thin epiphyseal scar that later disappears.
    • In adults who have stopped growing, the plate is replaced by an epiphyseal line.
  • Postnatal Bone Growth

    • Secondary ossification occurs after birth at the epiphyses of long bones and continues until skeletal maturity.
    • It forms the epiphyses of long bones and the extremities of irregular and flat bones.
    • The diaphysis and both epiphyses of a long bone are separated by a growing zone of cartilage (the epiphyseal plate).
    • When a child reaches skeletal maturity (18 to 25 years of age), all of the cartilage is replaced by bone, fusing the diaphysis and both epiphyses together (epiphyseal closure).
    • Between the epiphysis and diaphysis (the long midsection of the long bone) lies the metaphysis, including the epiphyseal plate (growth plate).
  • Development of Joints

    • Between the epiphysis and diaphysis (the long midsection of the long bone) lies the metaphysis, including the epiphyseal plate (growth plate).
    • 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.
    • For example, the head of the femur (which is a part of the hip joint complex) is a pressure epiphyses.
    • These epiphyses assist in transmitting the weight of the human body and are the regions of the bone that are under pressure during movement or locomotione.
    • Image shows the location of the epiphyseal plates (or lines) and the articular surfaces of long bones.
  • Nerve and Blood Supply

    • The articular and epiphyseal branches of the neighboring arteries form a periarticular arterial plexus.
    • It supplies the capsule, synovial membrane, and the epiphyses.
    • After epiphyseal fusion in the growth of long bones, communication between the circulosus vasculosus and the end arteries of the metaphysis is established.
  • Stages of Bone Development

    • Secondary ossification occurs after birth and forms the epiphyses of long bones and the extremities of irregular and flat bones.
    • The diaphysis and both epiphyses of a long bone are separated by a growing zone of cartilage (the epiphyseal plate).
    • When the child reaches skeletal maturity (18 to 25 years of age), all cartilage is replaced by bone, fusing the diaphysis and both epiphyses together (epiphyseal closure).
  • Bone Development

    • The bone continues to grow and elongate as the cartilage cells at the epiphyses divide.
    • In the last stage of prenatal bone development, the centers of the epiphyses begin to calcify.
    • Secondary ossification centers form in the epiphyses as blood vessels and osteoblasts enter these areas and convert hyaline cartilage into spongy bone.
    • Until adolescence, hyaline cartilage persists at the epiphyseal plate (growth plate), which is the region between the diaphysis and epiphysis that is responsible for the lengthwise growth of long bones.
  • Supply of Blood and Nerves to Bone

    • Near the epiphysis, they anastomose with the metaphyseal and epiphyseal arteries.
    • Epiphyseal and metaphyseal arteries enter on both sides of the growth cartilage, with anastamoses between them being few or absent.
    • Image shows the location of the epiphyseal plates (or lines) and the articular surfaces of long bones.
  • Hormonal Abnormalities and Height

    • Acromegaly is a syndrome that results when the anterior pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone (GH) after epiphyseal plate closure at puberty.
    • The distinction between gigantism (occurring in children) and acromegaly (occurring in adults) can be made by the occurrence of the adenoma in relation to the closure of the epiphyses.
    • If elevated growth hormone levels occur before the closure of the epiphyses (i.e. in prepubertal children), then gigantism ensues.
    • If it occurs after the closure of the epiphyses (i.e., in adults), then acromegaly ensues.
  • Structural Classification of Joints

    • The epiphyseal (growth) plates are examples of synchondroses.
    • Image demonstrates a synchondrosis joint with epiphyseal plate (temporary hyaline cartilage joint) indicated (a) and a symphysis joint (b).
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