Chapter 9, Problem 1ILQ

Go to this website (http://openstaxcollege.org/l/childhand) to view a radiograph (X-ray image) of a child’s hand and wrist. The growing bones of child have an epiphyseal plate that forms a synchondrosis between the shaft and end of a long bone. Being less dense than bone, the area of epiphyseal cartilage is seen on this radiograph as the dark epiphyseal gaps located near the ends of the long bones, including the radius, ulna, metacarpal, and phalanx bones. Which of the bones in this image do not show an epiphyseal plate (epiphyseal gap)?

Summary Introduction

To write:

To determine the bones in the radiograph of a growing child's wrist and hand which does not have an epiphyseal plate.

Introduction:

Epiphyseal plate is a plate of hyaline cartilage which is present at the end of long bones. It determines the extent of growth of the bone. So, it is present at the ends of growing bones.

Explanation of Solution

In the radiograph of hand and wrist of a child, epiphyseal plate is present at the end of all the bones except the carpals. Carpal bone is small bones in the area of the wrist which grow in diameter. They do not grow in length so they do not have an epiphyseal plate.

Conclusion

Epiphyseal plate is not present in the carpal bones of the hand.