epiphysis

American  

[ih-pif-uh-sis] / ɪˈpɪf ə sɪs /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

epiphyses

1. 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.

2. pineal gland.

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epiphysis British  

/ ˌɛpɪˈfɪzɪəl, ɪˈpɪfɪsɪs /

noun

1. 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

2. Also called: epiphysis cerebri.  the technical name for pineal gland

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Other Word Forms

• epiphyseal adjective
• epiphysial adjective

Etymology

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 )

Example Sentences

The internal anatomy of the epiphysis is revealed.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The epiphysis of the femur is roughly hexagonal in shape.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

This area of the inferior end of the bone is labeled the epiphysis.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The diaphysis contains compact bone surrounding a medullary cavity containing bone marrow On either end is an epiphysis containing cancellous or spongy bone.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Up to the age of seventeen or eighteen the epiphysis of the epicondyle may be separated.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander