By 3 months of age, which epiphyseal plates are closed?

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Multiple Choice

By 3 months of age, which epiphyseal plates are closed?

Growth plates in the limbs close at different times as a foal matures. In the horse’s digit, the middle and distal bones reach maturity earlier, so their growth plates fuse by about 3 months. The proximal bone’s growth plate, however, remains open longer to allow continued growth. So by 3 months, the plates in the middle and distal phalanges are closed, while the plate in the proximal phalanx is still open. This is why P2 and P3 are closed at this age, with P1 remaining open.

Growth plates in the limbs close at different times as a foal matures. In the horse’s digit, the middle and distal bones reach maturity earlier, so their growth plates fuse by about 3 months. The proximal bone’s growth plate, however, remains open longer to allow continued growth. So by 3 months, the plates in the middle and distal phalanges are closed, while the plate in the proximal phalanx is still open. This is why P2 and P3 are closed at this age, with P1 remaining open.

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