the end of a long bone, initially separated from the shaft (diaphysis) by a section of cartilage that eventually ossifies so that the two portions fuse together
2. Also called: epiphysis cerebri (ˈsɛrɪˌbraɪ). the technical name for pineal gland
Derived forms
epiphyseal or epiphysial (ˌɛpɪˈfɪzɪəl)
adjective
Word origin
C17: via New Latin from Greek: a growth upon, from epi- + phusis growth, from phuein to bring forth, produce
epiphysis in American English
(iˈpɪfəsɪs)
nounWord forms: pluraleˈpiphyˌses (iˈpɪfəˌsiz)
1.
the end part of a long bone which is at first separated from the main part by cartilage,but later fuses with it by ossification
2.
the pineal body
: in full epiphysis cerebri (ˈsɛrəˌbraɪ)
Derived forms
epiphyseal (ˌepiˈphyseal)
adjective or epiphysial (ˌɛpəˈfɪziəl)
Word origin
ModL < Gr epiphysis, a growth upon, excrescence < epiphyein, to grow upon < epi-, upon + phyein, to grow: see bondage