GROWTH PLATE Meaning and
Definition
-
A growth plate, also referred to as an epiphyseal plate or physis, is a specialized area of cartilage at the end of long bones that allows for bone growth and development in children and adolescents. It is present in the epiphysis, the rounded end of a long bone, which is separated from the shaft or diaphysis by the growth plate.
The primary function of the growth plate is to lengthen the bone as a child grows. It acts as a bridge between the epiphysis and diaphysis, allowing for the deposition of new bone cells on one side while cartilage cells are gradually replaced on the other. This delicate balance between cartilage growth and ossification helps to increase bone length and overall skeletal development.
The growth plate is composed of several layers of cartilage cells, each responsible for different stages of bone growth. At the boundary of the epiphysis and growth plate, restless cell division takes place, leading to the formation of new cartilage cells. As these cells proliferate, they push older cartilage cells closer to the diaphysis where they mature and harden into bone tissue.
While growth plates are crucial for bone growth, they are also vulnerable to injury. Trauma or excessive stress on the growth plate can cause fractures or disruptions in its normal development, leading to potential issues in bone growth, limb deformities, or growth discrepancies. Careful monitoring and timely medical intervention are necessary to ensure the proper functioning and preservation of growth plates during the crucial period of skeletal development.
Common Misspellings for GROWTH PLATE
- frowth plate
- vrowth plate
- browth plate
- hrowth plate
- yrowth plate
- trowth plate
- geowth plate
- gdowth plate
- gfowth plate
- gtowth plate
- g5owth plate
- g4owth plate
- griwth plate
- grkwth plate
- grlwth plate
- grpwth plate
- gr0wth plate
- gr9wth plate
- groqth plate
- groath plate
Etymology of GROWTH PLATE
The term "growth plate" comes from the fusion of two words: "growth" and "plate".
The word "growth" originates from the Old Norse word "grōa", which means to grow or increase in size. It entered Middle English as "growen" and developed into the word "growth". The term generally refers to the process of becoming larger or developing over time.
The word "plate" has Latin roots from the word "plattus", meaning flat or broad. In the context of a growth plate, it refers to a thin, flat layer of cartilage located near the ends of long bones.
Therefore, the term "growth plate" emerged as a combination of these two words, describing the specialized areas of cartilage in long bones responsible for longitudinal growth in children and adolescents.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
