Nivelpää
Nivelpää is the Finnish term for the articular head of a bone—the rounded end that forms a joint surface with another bone in a synovial joint. In typical usage it refers to the prominent, ball-like end that allows smooth articulation, such as the femoral head in the hip joint or the humeral head in the shoulder joint. The term can also apply to other joints where a rounded bone end participates in articulation, such as the radial head at the elbow.
Anatomically, the nivelpää is covered with articular cartilage and is often connected to the shaft by a
Developmentally, nivelpää originates from the bone’s epiphysis, with growth occurring at the growth plate during development.
Clinical relevance centers on injuries and diseases affecting the joint surface or its blood supply. Fractures
See also: epiphysis, articular cartilage, synovial joint, joint capsule.