The
epiphysis is the rounded end of a
long boneThe long bones are those that are longer than they are wide, and grow primarily by elongation of the diaphysis, with an epiphysis at the ends of the growing bone. The ends of epiphyses are covered with a hyaline cartilage . The longitudinal growth of long bones is a result of endochondral...
, at its
jointA joint is the location at which two or more bones make contact. They are constructed to allow movement and provide mechanical support, and are classified structurally and functionally.-Classification:...
with adjacent bone(s). Between the epiphysis and
diaphysisThe diaphysis is the main or mid section of a long bone. It is made up of cortical bone and usually contains bone marrow and adipose tissue .-Clinical significance:...
(the long midsection of the long bone) lies the
metaphysisThe metaphysis is the wider portion of a long bone adjacent to the epiphyseal plate. It is this part of the bone that grows during childhood; as it grows, it ossifies near the diaphysis and the epiphyses...
, including the
epiphyseal plateThe epiphyseal plate is a hyaline cartilage plate in the metaphysis at each end of a long bone. The plate is found in children and adolescents; in adults, who have stopped growing, the plate is replaced by an epiphyseal line.-Anatomy & Development:Epiphyseal plates are present in growing bones...
(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 (see Wiktionary:subchondral).
The epiphysis is filled with red
bone marrowBone marrow is the flexible tissue found in the hollow interior of bones. In adults, marrow in large bones produces new blood cells. It constitutes 4% of total body weight, i.e...
, which produces erythrocytes (red blood cells).
PathologiesPathology is the study and diagnosis of disease through examination of organs, tissues, bodily fluids, and whole bodies...
of the epiphysis include
avascular necrosisAvascular necrosis is a disease resulting from the temporary or permanent loss of the blood supply to an area of bone. Without blood, the bone tissue dies and the bone collapses...
and
osteochondritis dissecansOsteochondritis dissecans is a joint disorder in which cracks form in the articular cartilage and the underlying subchondral bone. OCD is a complication of avascular necrosis occurring in subchondral bone. Avascular necrosis deprives the bone of blood, and without blood the bone dies and begins...
(OCD).
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The
epiphysis is the rounded end of a
long boneThe long bones are those that are longer than they are wide, and grow primarily by elongation of the diaphysis, with an epiphysis at the ends of the growing bone. The ends of epiphyses are covered with a hyaline cartilage . The longitudinal growth of long bones is a result of endochondral...
, at its
jointA joint is the location at which two or more bones make contact. They are constructed to allow movement and provide mechanical support, and are classified structurally and functionally.-Classification:...
with adjacent bone(s). Between the epiphysis and
diaphysisThe diaphysis is the main or mid section of a long bone. It is made up of cortical bone and usually contains bone marrow and adipose tissue .-Clinical significance:...
(the long midsection of the long bone) lies the
metaphysisThe metaphysis is the wider portion of a long bone adjacent to the epiphyseal plate. It is this part of the bone that grows during childhood; as it grows, it ossifies near the diaphysis and the epiphyses...
, including the
epiphyseal plateThe epiphyseal plate is a hyaline cartilage plate in the metaphysis at each end of a long bone. The plate is found in children and adolescents; in adults, who have stopped growing, the plate is replaced by an epiphyseal line.-Anatomy & Development:Epiphyseal plates are present in growing bones...
(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 (see Wiktionary:subchondral).
The epiphysis is filled with red
bone marrowBone marrow is the flexible tissue found in the hollow interior of bones. In adults, marrow in large bones produces new blood cells. It constitutes 4% of total body weight, i.e...
, which produces erythrocytes (red blood cells).
Pathology
PathologiesPathology is the study and diagnosis of disease through examination of organs, tissues, bodily fluids, and whole bodies...
of the epiphysis include
avascular necrosisAvascular necrosis is a disease resulting from the temporary or permanent loss of the blood supply to an area of bone. Without blood, the bone tissue dies and the bone collapses...
and
osteochondritis dissecansOsteochondritis dissecans is a joint disorder in which cracks form in the articular cartilage and the underlying subchondral bone. OCD is a complication of avascular necrosis occurring in subchondral bone. Avascular necrosis deprives the bone of blood, and without blood the bone dies and begins...
(OCD). OCD involves the subchondral bone.
Epiphyseal lesions include
chondroblastomaChondroblastoma is a rare bone tumor, usually benign with a slow-growing nature.In children, it is the most common epiphyseal tumor.-Presentation:...
and giant cell tumor.