Long Bones
- Long bones are longer than they are wide and include the humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia, fibula, metacarpals, and phalanges.
- Long bones develop mainly through replacement of a hyaline-cartilage model.
- Hyaline cartilage is smooth supportive cartilage that can serve as a temporary model for future bone during endochondral ossification.
- Endochondral ossification allows a cartilage template to be replaced progressively by bone.
- The diaphysis is the shaft of a long bone.
- The diaphysis is a thick tube of compact bone surrounding a marrow cavity.
- Epiphyses are the expanded ends of a long bone that participate in joint formation.
- Epiphyses contain mostly spongy bone surrounded by a thin compact-bone layer.
- Articular surfaces are covered by cartilage that reduces friction and helps distribute joint load.
- The epiphyseal plate separates an epiphysis from the shaft during growth.
- The epiphyseal plate is a cartilage growth region that allows the bone to lengthen.
- The metaphysis is the portion of the shaft adjacent to the epiphysis and epiphyseal plate.
- The metaphysis contains the active growth region of the developing long bone.
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