Final answer:
The reserve zone is the region of the epiphyseal plate closest to the epiphysis, containing chondrocytes that anchor the plate to the osseous tissue rather than contributing to bone growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The layer of the epiphyseal plate that is nearest to the epiphysis and consists of small, scattered chondrocytes is known as the reserve zone. The cells in this region do not participate directly in bone growth; instead, they serve to securely anchor the epiphyseal plate to the osseous tissue of the epiphysis. Unlike the chondrocytes found in the zones of proliferation, maturation and hypertrophy, and the calcified matrix of the epiphyseal plate, the chondrocytes in the reserve zone do not contribute to the longitudinal growth of the bone. Instead, they play a crucial stabilizing role that maintains the structure and placement of the growth plate.