骨端閉鎖とは
「船戸和弥のホームページ」には以下のような解説が見られる。
「骨端軟骨が完全に置き換えられると（骨端閉鎖）、骨の成長は止まる。X線像で骨端線として見えるのは、閉鎖した骨端軟骨である。長骨における骨端閉鎖はだいたい１２歳から２４歳ぐらいの間におこる。 」
「wiseGEEK」では以下のように解説している。
「The epiphyseal plate or growth plate is a cartilaginous or strong elastic section at the tip of the long bones of the body. Located in the metaphysis, the broader portion on each end of the bone, these sections allow the bones to lengthen as the body develops. Without this plate the body would be unable to grow taller. Epiphyseal closure or the stoppage of bone growth occurs between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five.
During development, the cells that make up the epiphyseal plate continually divide through a process called mitosis where the cell transforms into another identical cell. As these cells mature, they shift towards the mid portion of the bone called the diaphysis allowing for the process of redesign to continue at the epiphyseal plate. Once the body reaches maturity, all the cells responsible for new bone growth ossify or solidify into bone and this progression stops, thus bringing on epiphyseal closure. At this time the plate transforms into the epiphyseal line, the only remnant of the growth process.」
大腿骨
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脛骨上端 |
成長中の骨模型図
骨端軟骨が確認できる |
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