Anatomy
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What is the Epiphysis?

Sandra Koehler
Sandra Koehler

A long bone is made up of three parts: the epiphysis, diaphysis and the metaphysis. A long bone is a cylindrical elongated bone as seen in the femur, or thigh bone; and the humerus, or upper arm bone. An epiphysis is one of the rounded ends of the long bones of the body which makes up a joint.

The diaphysis is the middle section of the long bone. This is where the metaphysic is located. The metaphysic is a widened area just below the epiphysis in which the growth plate is found. A growth plate, also called the physis, is the area which allows for bone growth during childhood. The growth plate ossifies, or hardens into bone once development is complete, somewhere between the late teen years and early twenties.

Hip pain can ensue when damage has been done to the epiphysis.
Hip pain can ensue when damage has been done to the epiphysis.

The epiphyses are covered with an articular cartilage and filled with red bone marrow. The articular cartilage is a hard but flexible form of connective tissue which assists in the support and movement of the joints. Red bone marrow is a tissue located within the bone which produced red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Red blood cells are responsible for the transportation of oxygen. White blood cells, also called leukocytes, protect the body against foreign substances such as infections. Platelets, or thrombocytes, are a vital part of the blood which regulated hemostasis, or the stopping of blood flow from a damaged blood vessel.

The anatomy of a bone. The epiphysis is the rounded end.
The anatomy of a bone. The epiphysis is the rounded end.

The epiphysis, as with any other portion of the long bone, can sustain damage. A slipped capital epiphysis, for example, is a fracture resulting in a break in the union of the bone’s growth plate. This break in the bone can cause the rounded ends to slip onto the metaphysis. This condition can cause hip pain and dysfunction. Pain can also be experienced in the hip or groin, thigh or knee.

Long bones like the femur are made of three parts, one of which is the epiphysis.
Long bones like the femur are made of three parts, one of which is the epiphysis.

Treatment for this condition is the prevention of further displacement of the end of the long bone into the shaft or diaphysis and stabilization of the bone to achieve proper healing and possible closure of the growth plate. This is accomplished through a time of non-weight bearing, immobilization through casting, and possible internal fixation of the bone. Internal fixation is a procedure where the bone epiphysis is fastened together through a series of pins or screws.

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    • Hip pain can ensue when damage has been done to the epiphysis.
      By: jedi-master
      Hip pain can ensue when damage has been done to the epiphysis.
    • The anatomy of a bone. The epiphysis is the rounded end.
      By: Alila
      The anatomy of a bone. The epiphysis is the rounded end.
    • Long bones like the femur are made of three parts, one of which is the epiphysis.
      By: maya2008
      Long bones like the femur are made of three parts, one of which is the epiphysis.
    • The upper epiphysis of the femur, in the hip, usually requires pins, rods, or other devices to hold it in place after a fracture.
      By: Dario Sabljak
      The upper epiphysis of the femur, in the hip, usually requires pins, rods, or other devices to hold it in place after a fracture.
    • Platelets, or thrombocytes, are a vital part of hemostasis, or the stopping of blood flow from a damaged blood vessel.
      By: designua
      Platelets, or thrombocytes, are a vital part of hemostasis, or the stopping of blood flow from a damaged blood vessel.