Cartilaginous growth plates located at the ends of bones, in particular long bones.
The disc of cartilage between the shaft and the epiphysis of a long bone during its growth.
The thin layer of cartilage between the epiphysis and the shaft of a bone. Growth in length of the bone occurs at this layer.
The epiphyseal plate is a disc that divides the epiphysis, or the terminal part of a long bone, from the diaphysis, the main body of the bone. While growth is ongoing, the epiphyseal plate consists of cartilage, a type of connective tissue made from collagen. Over time, this cartilage gradually turns into bone through a process known as ossification. This involves cartilage cells multiplying and incorporating calcium to transform into bone.