epiphyseal

Epiphyseal is an anatomical term that relates to the epiphysis, the end portion of a long bone that often participates in a joint. In long bones, the epiphysis is separated from the shaft (diaphysis) by the metaphysis and the epiphyseal plate, also known as the growth plate.

In children and adolescents, the epiphyseal plate is a layer of hyaline cartilage located between the metaphysis and the epiphysis. This cartilaginous region allows longitudinal bone growth through endochondral ossification. Over time, the plate gradually ossifies and closes, leaving a bony epiphyseal line in adults and halting further growth at that site.

The epiphysis typically contains articular cartilage on its joint-facing surface and may include a secondary ossification center formed during development. Blood supply to the epiphysis comes from branches of the metaphyseal and epiphyseal arteries, which can be a factor in certain conditions such as avascular events or tumors that arise in the epiphysis.

Clinical relevance centers on growth and injury. Growth plate injuries, common in children, are classified by Salter-Harris systems and can affect future bone growth if the plate is damaged. Epiphyseal abnormalities may also arise from tumors (for example, chondroblastoma), infections, or inflammatory processes, and radiographic assessment often emphasizes the status of the physis and epiphysis in pediatric patients.

Overall, the term epiphyseal emphasizes relations to the growth region and the end portions of bones that participate in joint articulation, especially in the context of development and pediatric imaging.