Textbook Question
Match the appropriate name with the structure in the figure.
5. Osteocyte
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6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue
Microscopic Anatomy of Bones - Bone Cells
3:59 minutesProblem 8
Textbook Question
The presence of an epiphyseal line indicates:
(a) Epiphyseal growth has ended
(b) Epiphyseal growth is just beginning
(c) Growth of bone diameter is just beginning
(d) The bone is fractured at the location
(e) No particular event
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the anatomy of a long bone: The epiphyseal line is a remnant of the epiphyseal plate (growth plate), which is a region of cartilage found in growing bones.
Recognize the function of the epiphyseal plate: During growth, the epiphyseal plate is responsible for longitudinal growth of the bone through endochondral ossification.
Learn what happens when growth ends: Once the bone has reached its full length, the cartilage in the epiphyseal plate is replaced by bone tissue, forming the epiphyseal line. This indicates that growth in length has ceased.
Eliminate incorrect options: (b) is incorrect because growth is not just beginning; (c) is incorrect because the epiphyseal line does not relate to bone diameter growth; (d) is incorrect because the epiphyseal line is not indicative of a fracture; (e) is incorrect because the epiphyseal line signifies a specific event (end of growth).
Conclude that the correct answer is (a): The presence of an epiphyseal line indicates that epiphyseal growth has ended.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Epiphyseal Line
The epiphyseal line is a remnant of the epiphyseal plate, which is a layer of cartilage found in growing bones. It indicates that the bone has completed its growth in length, as the cartilage has been replaced by bone tissue. This line is crucial for understanding the stages of bone development and growth cessation in long bones.
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Bone Growth
Bone growth occurs primarily at the epiphyseal plate during childhood and adolescence, allowing for an increase in bone length. Once growth is complete, the epiphyseal plate is replaced by the epiphyseal line, signaling that the individual has reached their adult height. Understanding this process is essential for interpreting skeletal maturity.
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Skeletal Maturity
Skeletal maturity refers to the stage at which the bones have fully developed and growth has ceased. This is typically assessed through the presence of the epiphyseal line, which indicates that the epiphyseal plates have closed. Recognizing skeletal maturity is important in fields such as orthopedics and sports medicine, as it affects growth-related injuries and treatment options.
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