Growth Plate (Epiphyseal Plate)

The growth plate, or epiphyseal plate, is a layer of cartilage located near the ends of long bones in children and adolescents. It is responsible for bone lengthening as new cartilage is produced and then replaced by bone tissue during development. This process allows bones to grow taller until the plates gradually harden and close once growth is complete, usually in late adolescence. The growth plate is essential for normal skeletal growth, and injury to it can affect bone development. After closure, the growth plate is replaced by solid bone, marking the end of bone lengthening.