THE EPIPHYSIS is that portion of bone concerned with its length growth. It develops from a secondary center of ossification and is separated from the main portion of bone by unossified cartilage. This unossified layer is known as the epiphyseal plate and disappears only after growth has ceased. The physiological changes occurring in these regions are, of necessity, associated with marked vascularity to occommodate the increased cellular activity.
The terms, epiphysitis, osteochondritis, and osteochondrosis have been used to signify a derangement of the normal process of bone growth. Although any epiphysis may become disturbed in a process of this type, its particular location may predispose it to changes. Originally, these disturbances were described separately and each named for its discoverer. The literature is therefore confused by individual designation of diseases which should be grouped under one disease entity, namely, osteochondrosis. The latter has been accepted in the standard nomenclature of