What is another name for the physis?

The term 'physis' refers specifically to the growth plate found at the ends of long bones in children and adolescents. This area is crucial for bone growth, as it is where new bone tissue is generated during development. The growth plate consists of a layer of cartilage that eventually calcifies and transforms into bone as a person matures, contributing to the lengthening of the bone. This makes 'growth plate' an appropriate alternative name for physis, as it directly describes its function and location within the bone structure.

In contrast, the other terms in the choices refer to different anatomical features of the bone. The metaphysis is the region just adjacent to the epiphyseal plate or growth plate, diaphysis refers to the main or central shaft of a long bone, and periosteum is a dense layer of vascular connective tissue enveloping the bones except at the surfaces of the joints. Each of these structures plays an important role in bone health and functioning, but they are not interchangeable with ‘physis’ in terms of describing the growth plate.