epiphysis

[ih-pif-uh-sis]

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

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 formsep·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

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