(growth plate) a horizontal band of tissue located between the ends (*epiphyses) of a long bone and the growing zone (*metaphysis) of the shaft. It is composed of cartilaginous, bony, and fibrous components that combine to allow for longitudinal and latitudinal growth and remodelling of the developing bone (endochondral *ossification). See also Salter-Harris classification.
physo- combining form denoting air or gas.
n. the body, or shaft, of a long bone, which ossifies from a primary centre. It comprises a thick cylinder of compact bone surrounding a large medullary cavity. Compare epiphysis; physis. —diaphyseal adj.... diaphysis
n. (pl. epiphyses) 1. the end of a long bone, which is initially separated by cartilage from the shaft (diaphysis) of the bone and develops separately. It eventually fuses with the diaphysis to form a complete bone. See also physis. 2. see pineal gland. —epiphyseal adj.... epiphysis
a bony protuberance covered by a cap of cartilage arising usually from the end of a long bone, most commonly around the knee or shoulder. It is due to overgrowth of cartilage at the edge of the *physis (growth plate) of growing bones. The protuberance may be flattened (sessile) or stalklike (see exostosis) and usually appears before the age of 30, with patients complaining of either pain or a lump. There is a small incidence (1–2% in solitary lesions, higher if multiple) of malignant transformation of the cartilage cap into a *chondrosarcoma. If the lump causes symptoms or continues to grow in an adult, it should be excised.... osteochondroma
(S–H classification) a classification of fractures involving the growth plate of bones (see physis), which is useful for their prognosis and treatment. There are five S–H categories of fracture. [R. Salter and R. I. Harris (20th century), Canadian orthopaedic surgeons]... salter–harris classification
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