What is the growth plate near the ends of long bones called?

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

Answer: (A)

Growth plates are thin layers of cartilage at the ends of long bones that allow the bone to grow in length. The growth plate near the ends is the epiphyseal plate. It sits between the end part (epiphysis) and the region next to the shaft (metaphysis), and cartilage cells divide and are gradually replaced by bone, driving lengthwise growth through endochondral ossification. Once growth stops in adulthood, the cartilage ossifies to form an epiphyseal line, signaling that longitudinal growth has ended. The other terms refer to different structures: the diaphysis is the shaft of the bone, the medullary cavity contains bone marrow within the shaft, and the periosteum is the outer covering of the bone.