Muskuloskeletal

Question 1

How do long bones grow?

Answer 1

Via Endochondral ossification - cartilage growth plates at each end
- cartilage thickens and later becomes ossified during growth and development

Question 2

How does viewing an X ray of bones of leg help a doctor tell if patient is a growing child vs adult?

Answer 2

Cartilaginous areas in the long bones

• shorter than average bones could be seen in both adult and child
• presence of cartilaginous ends/areas shows that bone has not fully ossified and is not fully mature