Emanating from or pertaining to the epiphysis.
- e. aseptic necrosis — caused by (1) idiopathic primary necrosis of the epiphysis in growing small-breed dogs (Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease); (2) fracture of the femoral neck; or (3) epiphyseal slippage, particularly of the femoral head in young dogs, cats, pigs, calves and foals. The disease has a characteristic radiographic appearance.
- e. cartilage — between the epiphysis and the diaphysis of long bones; growth at the cartilage is responsible for continuing growth of the bone; when growth ceases the cartilage disappears. Called also growth plate, physis.
- e. detachment — see epiphysiolysis.
- e. dysplasia — an inherited defect of dogs characterized by very short limbs and early degenerative arthropathy. Called also chondrodystrophia fetalis and pseudoachondroplastic dysplasia of Miniature poodles. A similar histological lesion occurs in multiple epiphyseal dysplasia in Beagles.
- e. fracture — one involving the epiphysis. See also salter classification.
- e. plate — the thin plate of cartilage between the epiphysis and the shaft of a long bone; it is the site of growth in length and is obliterated by epiphyseal closure. Called also growth plate, physis.
- e. scar — on radiographs, the radiodense band seen at the junction of the epiphysis and metaphysis, which represents the closed physis.
