Orthopaedics · Skeletal System · Medium
Epiphysis
Meaning: Expanded end of a long bone, separated from the shaft by the growth plate during development.
In practice: In adolescents the femoral head may slip off the neck through the growth plate, often presenting as knee pain.
Word parts
- epi- means on or above
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related orthopaedics words.
Which word means: Twisted neck posture with the head tilted to one side and rotated, often from muscle contracture.
Answer: Torticollis
Which word means: A band of connective tissue surrounding and separating muscles.
Answer: Fascia
Words like epiphysis come up in the daily game
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