When does the P2 epiphyseal plate close?

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Multiple Choice

When does the P2 epiphyseal plate close?

Growth plates are regions of cartilage at the ends of long bones that allow bones to lengthen as a youngster grows. When a growth plate closes, it fuses to the bone and no longer contributes to lengthening. For the P2 epiphyseal plate, closure happens quite early in development in some species, so by about three months after birth that physis has typically fused and longitudinal growth at that site ends. That’s why three months is the best choice among the options: at birth the plate would still be open to allow growth, while six or nine months would imply a longer period of growth than is typical for this specific physis. Once fused, further growth at that end of the bone stops.

Growth plates are regions of cartilage at the ends of long bones that allow bones to lengthen as a youngster grows. When a growth plate closes, it fuses to the bone and no longer contributes to lengthening. For the P2 epiphyseal plate, closure happens quite early in development in some species, so by about three months after birth that physis has typically fused and longitudinal growth at that site ends. That’s why three months is the best choice among the options: at birth the plate would still be open to allow growth, while six or nine months would imply a longer period of growth than is typical for this specific physis. Once fused, further growth at that end of the bone stops.

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