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A part of a long bone developed from a center of ossification distinct from that of the shaft and separated at first from the latter by a layer of cartilage. [G. an excrescence, fr. epi, upon, + physis, growth]
- atavistic e. a bone that is independent phylogenetically but is now fused with another bone, e.g., the coracoid process of the scapula.
- e. cerebri SYN: pineal body.
- stippled e. SYN: chondrodysplasia punctata.
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1) a part or process of a bone that ossifies separately and later becomes ankylosed to the main part of the bone esp an end of a long bone compare DIAPHYSIS
2) PINEAL GLAND
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n.
1. the end of a long bone, which is initially separated by cartilage from the shaft (diaphysis) of the bone and develops separately. It eventually fuses with the diaphysis to form a complete bone. See also Salter and Harris classification.
• epiphyseal adj.
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epiph·y·sis (ə-pifґə-sis) pl. epiґphyses [Gr. “an ongrowth; excrescenceâ€] [TA] the expanded articular end of a long bone, developed from a secondary ossification center, which during the period of growth is either entirely cartilaginous or is separated from the shaft by the epiphyseal cartilage. epiphyseal adjMedical dictionary. 2011.