Epiphysis

The growth area near the end of a bone.

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A part of a long bone developed from a center of ossification distinct from that of the shaft and separated at first from the latter by a layer of cartilage. [G. an excrescence, fr. epi, upon, + physis, growth]

- atavistic e. a bone that is independent phylogenetically but is now fused with another bone, e.g., the coracoid process of the scapula.

- e. cerebri SYN: pineal body.

- pressure e. a secondary center of ossification in the articular end of a long bone.

- stippled e. SYN: chondrodysplasia punctata.

- traction e. a secondary center of ossification at the site of attachment of a tendon.

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epiph·y·sis i-'pif-ə-səs n, pl -y·ses -.sēz

1) a part or process of a bone that ossifies separately and later becomes ankylosed to the main part of the bone esp an end of a long bone compare DIAPHYSIS

2) PINEAL GLAND

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n.

1. the end of a long bone, which is initially separated by cartilage from the shaft (diaphysis) of the bone and develops separately. It eventually fuses with the diaphysis to form a complete bone. See also Salter and Harris classification.

2. see pineal gland.

• epiphyseal adj.

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epiph·y·sis (ə-pifґə-sis) pl. epiґphyses [Gr. “an ongrowth; excrescence”] [TA] the expanded articular end of a long bone, developed from a secondary ossification center, which during the period of growth is either entirely cartilaginous or is separated from the shaft by the epiphyseal cartilage. epiphyseal adj