epiphysis

Examples of epiphysis in the following topics:

• Development of Joints

  • The epiphysis is the rounded end of a long bone, at its joint with adjacent bone(s).
  • 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.
  • The region of the long bone that forms the joint is called Pressure Epiphysis.
  • Another example of pressure epiphysis is the head of humorus, which is a part of the shoulder complex.

• Supply of Blood and Nerves to Bone

  • Their sites of entry and angulation are almost constant and characteristically directed away from the growing epiphysis .
  • These approach the epiphysis dividing into smaller rami.
  • Near the epiphysis they anastomose with the metaphyseal and epiphyseal arteries.
  • Blood supply of the immature bones is similar, but the epiphysis is a discrete vascular zone separated from the metaphysis by the growth plate.

• Epithalamus and Pineal Gland

  • The pineal gland (also called the pineal body, epiphysis cerebri, epiphysis, conarium or the "third eye”) is the only unpaired midline brain structure.

• Growth of Bone

  • The metaphysis is the wide portion of a long bone between the epiphysis and the narrow diaphysis.
  • These chondrocytes do not participate in bone growth; instead, they secure the epiphyseal plate to the osseous tissue of the epiphysis.
  • This illustration shows the zones bordering the epiphyseal plate of the epiphysis.
  • The topmost layer of the epiphysis is the reserve zone.

• Gross Anatomy

  • Long bones grow primarily by elongation of the diaphysis (the central shaft), with an epiphysis at each end of the growing bone.

• Postnatal Bone Growth

  • The epiphysis is the rounded end of a long bone, at its joint with adjacent bone(s).
  • Between the epiphysis and diaphysis (the long midsection of the long bone) lies the metaphysis, including the epiphyseal plate (growth plate).

• Bone Development

  • 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.

• Bone

  • The epiphysis of a bone, such as the neck of the femur, is subject to stress from many directions.

• Connective Tissues: Bone, Adipose, and Blood

  • Compact bone is found in the shaft (or diaphysis) of a long bone and the surface of the flat bones, while spongy bone is found in the end (or epiphysis) of a long bone.