Elongation of the Long Bones in Humans by the Growth Plates.

Hunziker, Ernst Bruno (2018). Elongation of the Long Bones in Humans by the Growth Plates. Nestle Nutrition Institute workshop series, 89, pp. 13-23. Karger 10.1159/000486489

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The disk of hyaline cartilage that is interposed between the epiphysis and the metaphysis of each of the long bones is responsible for its elongation, and, thus, when the lower limbs are concerned, for increases in bodily height. This so-called growth plate is avascular, aneural, and alymphatic. It consists solely of chondrocytes and an extracellular matrix which the cells elaborate. The growth plate is architectonically striking in so far as the chondrocytes are aligned in strictly vertical columns, which represent the functional units of longitudinal bone growth. The growth process begins with the slow division of chondrocytes in the resting ("stem cell") zone and proceeds with their rapid proliferation in the adjacent zone. These cells then undergo a process of progressive enlargement, which culminates in the zone of terminal hypertrophy. The life history of any given cell is recapitulated in a vertical column. The neoformation of cartilage in the axial direction is synchronized with its destruction at the vascular invasion front of the metaphysis and results in an elongation of the bony trabeculae. The mechanism that governs the highly coordinated sequence of events that underlies the growth of the long bones is complex; it is subject to influence by genetic, hormonal, nutritional, environmental, and pathological factors.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Further Contribution)
Division/Institute:	04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Orthopaedic, Plastic and Hand Surgery (DOPH) > Clinic of Osteoporosis
UniBE Contributor:	Hunziker, Ernst Bruno
Subjects:	600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health
ISSN:	1664-2155
Publisher:	Karger
Language:	English
Submitter:	Romain Perrelet
Date Deposited:	27 Dec 2018 16:27
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2022 15:22
Publisher DOI:	10.1159/000486489
PubMed ID:	29991028
URI:	https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/122242