Epifyseskivene

Epifyseskivene, also known as growth plates, are areas of hyaline cartilage located near the ends of long bones in children and adolescents. These cartilaginous regions are crucial for longitudinal bone growth. During childhood and adolescence, the cartilage cells in the epiphyseal plates divide, causing the bone to lengthen. As a person reaches skeletal maturity, typically in the late teens or early twenties, this cartilage is gradually replaced by bone, and the growth plate closes. Once the growth plate has closed, longitudinal bone growth ceases.

The epiphyseal plates are susceptible to injury, particularly in young athletes. Fractures through the growth plate, known as epiphyseal plate fractures or Salter-Harris fractures, can disrupt normal bone growth if not managed properly. The location and severity of the fracture, as well as the age of the individual, determine the potential long-term effects on bone length and alignment. Medical intervention is often necessary to ensure proper healing and minimize the risk of growth disturbances.

Conditions affecting the epiphyseal plates can lead to various skeletal abnormalities. For instance, certain genetic disorders or hormonal imbalances can affect the rate of cartilage proliferation or the timing of growth plate closure, resulting in conditions like dwarfism or gigantism. Understanding the function and vulnerability of epiphyseal plates is therefore important in pediatric orthopedics and endocrinology for diagnosing and treating a range of developmental and traumatic conditions affecting bone growth.