51³Ô¹ÏÍø

Bone development on a humerus at birth, in children and adults. This illustration makes it possible to compare the development of the bone during these three ages. From birth to childhood, the bone structure is cartilaginous and flexible. We see it thanks to the aspect of the bone at the level of the epiphyses and the diaphysis. But we can also see it thanks to the area shown in pink. This area constitutes the epiphyseal plate. It is this epiphyseal plate that produces cartilage. This allows the bone to gradually grow and ossify. Bone growth ends between the ages of 18 and 25. In adults, the epiphyseal cartilage has ossified. We can no longer distinguish an epiphyseal line. This line is visible with a lighter color between the epiphysis (head of the humerus) and the metaphysis. The metaphysis is the intermediate zone between the epiphysis and the diaphysis. The diaphysis represents the body of the bone. On each section of the humerus is shown a section of horizontal section in blue. At the bottom of each humerus, a drawing represents the bone with a horizontal cut. This cut shows the structures of the periosteal bone on the outside, of the compact bone on the inside. A portion of resorbed bone tissue can be seen on the bone section in the child. Here the arrows represent the direction of bone resorption. Finally in the center is the medullary cavity, the circumference of which changes with age. (Photo by: JACOPIN/BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)