epifyseplateen

Epifyseplateen, also known as the growth plate, is a layer of hyaline cartilage located near the ends of long bones in children and adolescents. This region is responsible for longitudinal bone growth. During childhood and adolescence, the cells in the epiphyseal plate undergo mitosis, producing new cartilage, which is then ossified or turned into bone. This process allows the long bones to increase in length.

The epiphyseal plate is a dynamic structure, with cells proliferating on the epiphyseal side and being replaced by bone on the metaphyseal side. This continuous process of cartilage formation and bone replacement is what drives skeletal growth. The rate of growth is influenced by various factors, including genetics, hormones (such as growth hormone and sex hormones), and nutrition.

As individuals reach skeletal maturity, typically in late adolescence or early adulthood, the epiphyseal plates close. This closure occurs when the cartilage is completely replaced by bone, effectively stopping further longitudinal growth. The remnants of the epiphyseal plate in adults are called the epiphyseal line. Injuries to the epiphyseal plate, known as epiphyseal fractures or Salter-Harris fractures, can disrupt normal bone growth and may lead to limb length discrepancies or deformities if not properly managed.