Final answer:
The epiphyseal plate is a layer of cartilage in long bones that facilitates growth. Epiphyseal fractures occur when there is excessive stress on these growth plates, potentially affecting the bone's ability to grow. Proper healing of these fractures is critical to avoid long-term complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
Long bones in the human body grow and develop by ossifying from their ends, known as the epiphysis. This growth is facilitated by a layer of hyaline cartilage called the epiphyseal plate, which signifies that the bone is still capable of growth. The process of bone growth includes the division of chondrocytes (cartilage cells) on the epiphyseal side of the plate, with some cells remaining near the epiphysis while others move towards the diaphysis (the central part of the bone) where they eventually get replaced by bone tissue, resulting in the lengthening of the bone.
Epiphyseal fractures can occur when there is excessive stress on long bones, similar to how bending a pencil too far can cause it to break. These fractures can be particularly concerning because they affect the growth plates located in the epiphysis. Proper healing is crucial since damage can affect the bone's growth and result in long-term complications.
It's essential to understand that the growth plate signifies ongoing bone growth, typically until around the age of 18 in females and 21 in males. This is part of a process called epiphyseal plate closure, where cartilage cells stop dividing, and the cartilage is fully replaced by bone, leaving what is known as the epiphyseal line or epiphyseal remnant.