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epiphysis Definition

epiphy·sis (ē pifə sis)

noun pl. -·ses′-sēz′

  1. the end part of a long bone which is at first separated from the main part by cartilage, but later fuses with it by ossification
  2. the pineal body

Etymology: ModL < Gr epiphysis, a growth upon, excrescence < epiphyein, to grow upon < epi-, upon + phyein, to grow: see bondage

epiphysis Related Forms

ep′i·phys·eal adjective or epi·phys·ialep′ə fizē əl

epiphysis Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • slip: In young people X-rays also help to exclude a slipped femoral epiphysis.
  • call: These bones grow at their ends, in a region called the epiphysis.

Adjective modifier

  • femoral: In young people X-rays also help to exclude a slipped femoral epiphysis.
  • distal: The bite had left a sub-circular depressed fracture about 6mm across on the dorsal surface of the shaft, just above the distal epiphysis.
  • upper: Slipped upper femoral epiphysis is a common cause of limping and leg pain in adolescents, and the symptoms should be taken seriously.
  • proximal: The two bones were Ovis or Capra femur and were articulated, an unfused proximal epiphysis and the shaft from the same individual.
  • unfused: The number of unfused epiphyses was small compared to earlier periods.

Browse dictionary entries near epiphysis

  1. epiphenomenon
  2. epiphenomenalism
  3. Epiphany
  4. epineurium
  5. epinephrine
  6. epinasty
  7. epimysium
  8. epimere
  9. epilogue
  10. epilimnion
  1. epiphyte
  2. epiphytology
  3. epiphytotic
  4. epirogeny
  5. Epirus
  6. Epis
  7. episcia
  8. episcopacy
  9. episcopal
  10. Episcopalian