Question

3. The doctors are concerned that the fracture may have impacted on the epiphyseal plate. What is the epiphyseal plate and why is this important for Emily ?

4. Briefly outline the steps involved in fracture repair .

Answer 1

3. Epiphyseal plate also called as growth plate structurally compsoed of thin layer of cartilage located between the epiphyses and metaphyses. It is the site of growth for long bones especially for longitudinal growth of the long bones.The cartilages of the epiphyseal plate is produced by the proliferation and hypertrophy of cell along with usual ECM which then calcified, degraded, and replaced by osseous tissue.

4. The major four stages of bone repair and remodelling are:

1) Formation of hematoma at the break - Broken blood vessels cause hemorrhage and subsequent clotting proces or hematoma at the site of the break.

2) Formation of a fibrocartilaginous callus - New vascularization and scavenging of debris takes place and followed by reformation of bone by fibroblasts and osteoblasts. Former produce collagen fibers and latter form spongy bone. Fibrocartilaginous callus formation occur and is composed of both hyaline and fibrocartilage.

3) Formation of a bony callus - The fibrocartilaginous callus is converted into a bony callus of spongy bone.

4) Remodeling and addition of compact bone - remodelling done by osteoclasts and osteoblasts, with excess material on the exterior of the bone and within the medullary cavity being removed.