Long bone growth is primarily controlled by a combination of growth hormone, thyroid hormones, and sex hormones. Growth hormone stimulates bone and cartilage growth, while thyroid hormones regulate overall metabolism which affects bone growth. Sex hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, play a role in the final stages of bone growth during puberty.
Corticosteroids can affect growth, especially in children, by inhibiting bone growth and reducing the production of growth hormone. Long-term use of corticosteroids can lead to a decrease in height potential.
Growth Hormone (GH)
Growth hormone, also known as somatotropin, stimulates the elongation of long bones in the body by promoting cell division and differentiation in the epiphyseal plates of bones.
The growth in bone length of a long bone occurs at the epiphyseal plate, also known as the growth plate. This area is found at the ends of long bones and is responsible for new bone formation during childhood and adolescence, ultimately determining the final length of the bone.
Long bone growth in length occurs at the growth plate, also known as the epiphyseal plate. This is a cartilaginous area at the ends of long bones where new bone tissue is formed, leading to longitudinal bone growth.
The growth plate in a juvenile long bone is a layer of cartilage located near the end of the bone. It allows for bone growth and lengthening during childhood and adolescence. Once a person reaches skeletal maturity, the growth plate closes and is replaced by solid bone.
metaphysis
Metaphysis
The growth plate of a long bone is located at the end of the bone, near the joint. It is also known as the epiphyseal plate and is responsible for longitudinal growth during childhood and adolescence.
Interstitial bone growth in long bones occurs in the epiphyseal plate, or growth plate, located at the ends of long bones. Here, cartilage cells (chondrocytes) proliferate, differentiate, hypertrophy, and are replaced by bone tissue, leading to longitudinal bone growth. This process is crucial for growth and development in children and adolescents.
The appearance of the growth plate closure, also known as the epiphyseal line, signals the end of bone growth in long bones. This happens when the cartilage in the growth plate is replaced by bone, indicating that growth has ceased in that particular bone.