Epifyseskiver

Epifyseskiver, or epiphyseal plates, are regions of developing cartilage located at the ends of long bones in children and adolescents. They enable longitudinal growth of the skeleton by continually adding cartilage that is gradually replaced by bone as the child grows.

In a typical long bone, the epiphysis sits at the end, and the metaphysis lies just beneath it; the epiphyseal plate lies between them. The plate is organized into zones of chondrocyte activity that support orderly growth: resting cartilage, proliferative cartilage, hypertrophic cartilage, a calcification zone, and an ossification zone. This structure allows cartilage to grow in length before it is ossified into bone.

Growth plates remain open until skeletal maturity. Closure occurs when the plate is replaced by bone, forming an epiphyseal line. Pubertal increases in sex steroids (estrogen and testosterone) accelerate fusion, with timing varying among bones and individuals.

The primary function of the epiphyseal plate is to produce new bone tissue in a controlled manner, supporting normal height growth while maintaining joint alignment.

Injury to the growth plate is a major pediatric concern. Growth plate fractures can disrupt normal development and lead to limb-length discrepancies or angular deformities if not treated appropriately. These injuries are commonly classified using the Salter-Harris system, which helps guide management and prognosis.

In adults, epiphyseal plates are closed, and no further longitudinal bone growth occurs.