GENERAL HISTOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -While bone is replacing cartilage in the diaphysis, cartilage continues to proliferate at the ends of the bone, increasing bone length. These proliferative areas become the epiphyseal plates (physeal plates/growth plates), which provide longitudinal growth of bones after birth and into early adulthood.

Detailed explanation-2: -These cartilaginous areas at the ends of the long bones are called epiphyseal growth plates. These plates contain three regions: a region of chondrocyte proliferation, a region of mature chondrocytes, and a region of hypertrophic chondrocytes (Figure 14.16; Chen et al. 1995).

Detailed explanation-3: -Endochondral ossification is the process of bone formation in which cartilage scaffolds, arranged in zones, are gradually replaced by bone. It occurs at the articular/epiphyseal and metaphyseal growth plates and at secondary centers of ossification, such as the carpal and tarsal bones.

Detailed explanation-4: -In this region, the epiphyses are covered with articular cartilage, a thin layer of hyaline cartilage that reduces friction and acts as a shock absorber.