Diaphysis Health Dictionary

The end section of a long bone (such as the femur) separated from the diaphysis (shaft) by the epiphyseal plate.

During childhood and adolescence, the ephiphyseal plate is made of cartilage but is gradually replaced by bone.

epiphysis, slipped See femoral epiphysis, slipped.... epiphysis

The structural material of the skeleton that provides a rigid framework

for the muscles and protects certain body organs. Bone consists of several layers: a thin outer covering (the periosteum), which contains blood vessels and nerves; an inner shell of hard (compact or cortical) bone composed of columns of bone cells (osteoclasts and osteoblasts), each with a central hollow (haversian canal) that is important for the nutrition, growth, and repair of the bone; and a central, mesh-like structure (known as spongy, cancellous, or trabecular bone). The cavity in the centre of some bones, and the spaces in spongy bone, contain bone marrow.

Bone is continuously reabsorbed by osteoclasts and replaced by osteoblasts. Osteoblasts encourage deposition of calcium phosphate on the protein framework of the bone, and osteoclasts remove it. The actions of these cells are controlled by hormones, which also maintain the calcium level in the blood.

At birth, many bones consist mainly of cartilage, which ossifies later (see ossification).

The epiphyses (growing ends of the long bones) are separated from the bone shaft (diaphysis) by the epiphyseal plate.

Some bones, such as certain skull bones, do not develop from cartilage and are known as membranous bones.... bone

The process by which bone is formed, renewed, and repaired, starting in the embryo and continuing throughout life. There are 3 main situations in which ossification occurs: bone growth, during which new bone forms at the epiphyses (ends) of bones; bone renewal as part of normal regeneration; and bone repair following a fracture.

In newborn babies, the diaphysis (shaft) has begun to ossify and is composed mainly of bone, while the epiphyses are made of cartilage that gradually hardens. In children, growth plates produce new cartilage to lengthen the bones, and further bone forms at secondary ossification centres in the epiphyses. By the age of 18, the shafts, growth plates, and epiphyses have all ossified and fused into continuous bone.... ossification

n. inflammation of the diaphysis (shaft) of a bone, through infection or rheumatic disease. It may result in impaired growth of the bone and consequent deformity.... diaphysitis

n. the growing portion of a long bone that lies between the *epiphyses (the ends) and the *diaphysis (the shaft).... metaphysis