Kasvukõhrplaadid

Kasvukõhrplaadid is a term used in Estonian that translates to "growth cartilage plates." These are regions of specialized hyaline cartilage located within the metaphyses of long bones in growing individuals. They are crucial for longitudinal bone growth, a process known as endochondral ossification. Within these plates, chondrocytes (cartilage cells) proliferate, mature, hypertrophy, and eventually undergo apoptosis. This orderly process is accompanied by the invasion of blood vessels and osteoblasts, which replace the calcified cartilage with bone tissue, leading to the lengthening of the bone.

The growth cartilage plates are present from fetal development until skeletal maturity is reached, typically in late adolescence. The rate of growth within these plates can be influenced by various factors, including hormones (such as growth hormone, thyroid hormones, and sex hormones), nutrition, and mechanical stress. Damage or premature closure of these growth plates, due to trauma, infection, or certain medical conditions, can result in limb length discrepancies or deformities. The radiographic appearance and integrity of the growth cartilage plates are important considerations in pediatric orthopedics and endocrinology for diagnosing and managing growth-related disorders.