Skip to main content
OrthoVellum
Knowledge Hub

Study

  • Topics
  • MCQs
  • ISAWE
  • Operative Surgery
  • Flashcards

Company

  • About Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Blog

Legal

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Copyright & DMCA
  • Refund Policy

Support

  • Help Center
  • Accessibility
  • Report an Issue
OrthoVellum

Ā© 2026 OrthoVellum. For educational purposes only.

Not affiliated with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Basic Science
intermediate
X-Type

Growth Plate Physiology

Bone Biology

A 12-year-old boy sustains a fall on his outstretched hand. Radiographs show a Salter-Harris II fracture of the distal radius with 20 degrees of dorsal angulation. His physis appears intact on the metaphyseal fragment side. The parents are concerned about growth disturbance. Regarding growth plate physiology:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

The physis has four histological zones (from epiphysis to metaphysis): Reserve/Resting (stores nutri...

B

Blood supply to the physis: the epiphysis supplies the reserve and proliferative zones (growth depen...

C

The proliferative zone is the weakest mechanically and is where most fractures occur; metaphyseal bl...

D

Salter-Harris classification: Type I (through physis), Type II (through physis and metaphysis - most...

E

Growth arrest occurs when a physeal bar (bone bridge) forms across the physis; risk factors include ...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option