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 cells, which are pushed from the epiphysis, mature and are destroyed by calcification.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The epiphyseal plate fades, leaving a structure called the epiphyseal line or epiphyseal remnant, and the epiphysis and diaphysis fuse.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The internal anatomy of the epiphysis is revealed.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

This fusion of the diaphysis and epiphysis is a synostosis.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

In young persons the epiphysis of the great trochanter may be separated, but this is rare.

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