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Multiple Choice

What happens in an epiphyseal growth plate?

Longitudinal bone growth occurs at the epiphyseal growth plate through endochondral ossification. Here, cartilage cells proliferate, then mature and hypertrophy; the cartilage matrix calcifies and is gradually replaced by bone as blood vessels bring in osteoblasts to lay down new bone. This transformation of cartilage into bone tissue in the growth zone is what lengthens the bone, until the plate closes. So the idea that cartilage is proliferating and maturing into bone cells best describes what happens at the growth plate.

Longitudinal bone growth occurs at the epiphyseal growth plate through endochondral ossification. Here, cartilage cells proliferate, then mature and hypertrophy; the cartilage matrix calcifies and is gradually replaced by bone as blood vessels bring in osteoblasts to lay down new bone. This transformation of cartilage into bone tissue in the growth zone is what lengthens the bone, until the plate closes. So the idea that cartilage is proliferating and maturing into bone cells best describes what happens at the growth plate.