EPIPHYSIS (epiphyses)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

Irregular inflected form: epiphyses   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does epiphysis mean? 

• EPIPHYSIS (noun)
  The noun EPIPHYSIS has 2 senses:

1. the end of a long bone; initially separated from the main bone by a layer of cartilage that eventually ossifies so the parts become fused

2. a small endocrine gland in the brain; situated beneath the back part of the corpus callosum; secretes melatonin

  Familiarity information: EPIPHYSIS used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EPIPHYSIS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The end of a long bone; initially separated from the main bone by a layer of cartilage that eventually ossifies so the parts become fused

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Hypernyms ("epiphysis" is a kind of...):

long bone; os longum (in limbs of vertebrate animals: a long cylindrical bone that contains marrow)

Derivation:

epiphyseal; epiphysial (relating to the epiphysis of a bone)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A small endocrine gland in the brain; situated beneath the back part of the corpus callosum; secretes melatonin

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

epiphysis; epiphysis cerebri; pineal body; pineal gland

Hypernyms ("epiphysis" is a kind of...):

ductless gland; endocrine; endocrine gland (any of the glands of the endocrine system that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream)

 Context examples 

Compact bone forms the thick-walled tube of the shaft of long bones and covers the epiphyses of long bones.

(Mature Bone, NCI Thesaurus)

Osteochondrosis of the vertebral epiphyses in children.

(Juvenile Osteochondrosis of Spine, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

A disorder characterized by osteochondrosis of the vertebral epiphyses in childhood.

(Juvenile Osteochondrosis of Spine, NCI Thesaurus)

A benign, lytic neoplasm usually arising from the cartilage in epiphysis and metaphysis of bone.

(Chondroblastoma, NCI Thesaurus)

A finding indicating delayed fusion of the epiphyses.

(Delayed Epiphyseal Fusion, NCI Thesaurus)

Most often affecting the epiphysis of the long bones, the necrotic changes result in the collapse and the destruction of the bone structure.

(Avascular Necrosis of Bone, NCI Thesaurus)

Short bones and the epiphyses of long bones consist mainly of spongy bone.

(Mature Bone, NCI Thesaurus)