The cartilaginous region near the ends of long bones that gradually turns to bone is known as the growth plate. What is its other name?

• A. Epiphyseal Plate
• B. Diaphysis
• C. Medullary Cavity
• D. Periosteum

Answer: (A)

The growth plate is the cartilage region at the ends of long bones where lengthwise growth occurs. Its other name is the epiphyseal plate. This structure sits between the end part of the bone (the epiphysis) and the shaft (the diaphysis) and gradually ossifies as a person grows, through endochondral ossification. Once growth finishes, the cartilage fully ossifies and you’re left with an epiphyseal line. The other terms describe different parts of bone—diaphysis is the shaft, the medullary cavity is the marrow-filled center of the shaft, and the periosteum is the outer membrane covering the bone—so they aren’t interchangeable with growth plate.