Epifüüsealused

Epifüüsealused refers to the epiphyseal plate, also known as the growth plate. This is a layer of hyaline cartilage located in the metaphysis of long bones. It is responsible for longitudinal bone growth in children and adolescents. The epiphyseal plate is made up of chondrocytes, which are cartilage cells. These cells divide and multiply, creating new cartilage, which is then mineralized and replaced by bone through endochondral ossification.

The epiphyseal plate is typically present until skeletal maturity is reached, usually in the late teens or early twenties. At this point, the cartilage is completely replaced by bone, and the plate fuses, ceasing further longitudinal growth. The location of the epiphyseal plate is critical for understanding fractures in children. Fractures that involve the epiphyseal plate can disrupt growth and lead to limb length discrepancies or deformities. These are often classified using systems like the Salter-Harris classification.

The precise timing of epiphyseal plate fusion varies between individuals and is influenced by genetics, hormones, and nutrition. Hormones such as growth hormone, thyroid hormone, and sex hormones play significant roles in regulating epiphyseal plate activity and eventual closure. Conditions affecting these hormones can therefore impact bone growth.