Anatomy of the Long Bone

With the exception of the clavicle, the long bones of children have discrete anatomical areas:

  • Diaphysis
  • Metaphyses
  • Physes
  • Epiphyses

It is useful to know where these are in order to describe x-rays in an accurate manner. The physes are a relatively weak point of the childs skeleton, accounting for some of the differences between the location of fractures in children and adults [1,2].