epiphysis

[ ih-pif-uh-sis ]

/ ɪˈpɪf ə sɪs /

noun, plural e·piph·y·ses [ih-pif-uh-seez] /ɪˈpɪf əˌsiz/. Anatomy.

a part or process of a bone separated from the main body of the bone by a layer of cartilage and subsequently uniting with the bone through further ossification.

pineal gland.

Nearby words

epiphysial aseptic necrosis, epiphysial cartilage, epiphysial line, epiphysial plate, epiphysiolysis, epiphysis, epiphysitis, epiphyte, epiphytotic, epipial, epiplo-

Origin of epiphysis

1625–35; < New Latin < Greek epíphysis a growth upon, equivalent to epi- epi- + phýsis growth (phȳ́(ein) to make grow, bring forth, produce + -sis -sis)

Related forms

ep·i·phys·e·al

[ep-uh-fiz-ee-uh l, ih-pif-uh-see-uh l, -zee-] /ˌɛp əˈfɪz i əl, ɪˌpɪf əˈsi əl, -ˈzi-/, ep·i·phys·i·al, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for epiphysis

The radius and ulna are nearly equal in size and each consists of a long shaft terminated at either end by an epiphysis.
The Vertebrate Skeleton|Sidney H. Reynolds
The epiphysis at the lower end of the femur may be displaced into the ham and press on the popliteal vessels.
Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities--Head--Neck. Sixth Edition.|Alexander Miles
Separation of the epiphysis and fracture of the medial epicondyle are treated on the same lines as supra-condylar fracture.
Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities--Head--Neck. Sixth Edition.|Alexander Miles
In compound separations of epiphysis, the end of the diaphysis may be pushed through the skin.
Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities--Head--Neck. Sixth Edition.|Alexander Miles

When there is marked rarefaction of the bone at the ossifying junction, the epiphysis is liable to be separated—epiphysiolysis.
Manual of Surgery|Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles

British Dictionary definitions for epiphysis

epiphysis

/ (ɪˈpɪfɪsɪs) /

noun plural -ses (-ˌsiːz)

the end of a long bone, initially separated from the shaft (diaphysis) by a section of cartilage that eventually ossifies so that the two portions fuse together

Also called: epiphysis cerebri (ˈsɛrɪˌbraɪ) the technical name for pineal gland

Derived Forms

epiphyseal or epiphysial (ˌɛpɪˈfɪzɪəl), adjective

Word Origin for epiphysis

C17: via New Latin from Greek: a growth upon, from epi- + phusis growth, from phuein to bring forth, produce

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for epiphysis

epiphysis

[ ĭ-pĭf′ĭ-sĭs ]

n. pl. e•piph•y•ses (-sēz′)

The end of a long bone that is originally separated from the main bone by a layer of cartilage but that later becomes united to the main bone through ossification.

pineal body

Related forms

ep′i•phys′i•al (ĕp′ə-fĭz′ē-əl) null adj.