Question

Fracture at which site will affect the longitudinal growth of the bone?

• A. Epiphyseal plate
• B. Epiphysis
• C. Metaphysis
• D. Diaphysis

Hint:

Length is added at the cartilage plate between epiphysis and metaphysis; the shaft only grows in width.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Recall how long bones grow in length. Longitudinal (lengthwise) growth of a long bone occurs at the epiphyseal plate (physis or growth plate) - a layer of proliferating cartilage between the epiphysis and metaphysis where chondrocytes multiply and then ossify, progressively elongating the bone until skeletal maturity.

Step 2: Apply this to fracture. A fracture that crosses or damages the epiphyseal plate (a Salter-Harris injury in a child) can disturb this cartilage, causing premature physeal closure or asymmetric growth, and therefore growth arrest, limb shortening or angular deformity.

Step 3: Why option A (epiphyseal plate) is correct. Because the physis is the actual engine of longitudinal growth, only injury here threatens future lengthening of the bone.

Step 4: Why the other options are wrong. The epiphysis (option B) is the bone end that contributes to joint surface and articular growth, not the main length-generating zone. The metaphysis (option C) is the flared region adjacent to the physis where newly formed bone remodels, but it does not itself drive lengthening. The diaphysis (option D) is the shaft, which grows in width (appositional growth) via the periosteum, not in length. Fractures of these regions in children generally heal without affecting longitudinal growth.

Final answer: A (Epiphyseal plate).