Children & medico-legal · Interactive 3D

The physis (growth plate)

A child's proximal tibia cut lengthways, showing the epiphysis, the thin cartilaginous physis and the metaphysis below it.

Interactive — drag to rotate

The physis (growth plate) — still render

AI-assisted model. Labels checked against standard anatomy references; specialist review pending.

What to look at

1The physis is a plate of cartilage between the epiphysis and the metaphysis. Longitudinal growth happens by endochondral ossification on its metaphyseal side.
2From the epiphyseal side its zones are reserve (resting), proliferative and hypertrophic, then the zone of provisional calcification. Most physeal fractures pass through the hypertrophic zone, the weakest.
3At its edge the groove of Ranvier supplies cells for growth in width, and the perichondrial ring of LaCroix supports the physis.
4Salter–Harris types describe whether a fracture runs through the physis alone (I), exits through the metaphysis (II) or the epiphysis (III), crosses both (IV), or crushes it (V).

Hotspots

1Epiphysis — Has its own secondary ossification centre and blood supply.
2Physis (growth plate) — Reserve, proliferative and hypertrophic zones; fractures usually pass through the hypertrophic zone.
3Metaphysis — Newly formed trabecular bone; well vascularised, and the usual site of haematogenous osteomyelitis in children.
4Perichondrial ring at the physeal edge — The groove of Ranvier and perichondrial ring of LaCroix: growth in width and mechanical support.

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