Stereological study of the developing distal femoral growth plate

The distal femoral growth plate has a uniquely convoluted structure comprised of four mammillate processes. Factors contributing to the development of these processes and overall plate geometry were explored using three-dimensional image analysis of the canine distal femoral epiphysis. The growth plate at birth remains relatively flat until ossification of the epiphysis begins at 1 week of age. Epiphyseal ossification proceeds eccentrically, …