Final answer:
Long bones grow in length through interstitial growth at the epiphyseal plate, where chondrocytes divide and are replaced by bone, leading to an increase in length. This growth continues until early adulthood, with the growth rate being regulated by hormones. The epiphyseal plate ultimately becomes the epiphyseal line when growth ceases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Long bones increase in length through a process called interstitial growth of the epiphyseal plate cartilage. This growth continues potentially until adolescence. The process involves chondrocytes, which are cartilage cells, dividing on the epiphyseal side of the epiphyseal plate.
The growth rate of long bones is regulated by hormones and continues until early adulthood. Once the chondrocytes cease to divide and the cartilage is fully replaced by bone, the longitudinal growth stops, and the epiphyseal plate is then known as the epiphyseal line.
Long bones also increase in width through what is called appositional growth. However, the lengthening of long bones through interstitial growth of the epiphyseal plate is significant until the plate closure occurs, which is around the age of 18 for females and 21 for males.