<P> During childhood, the growth plate contains the connecting cartilage enabling the bone to grow; at adulthood (between the ages of 18 to 25 years), the components of the growth plate stop growing altogether and completely ossify into solid bone . In an adult, the metaphysis functions to transfer loads from weight - bearing joint surfaces to the diaphysis . </P> <P> Because of their rich blood supply and vascular stasis, metaphyses of long bones are prone to hematogenous spread of osteomyelitis in children . </P> <P> Metaphyseal tumors or lesions include osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, osteoblastoma, enchondroma, fibrous dysplasia, simple bone cyst, aneurysmal bone cyst, non-ossifying fibroma, and osteoid osteoma . </P> <P> One of the clinical signs of rickets that doctors look for is cupping and fraying at the metaphyses when seen on X-ray . </P>

The epiphysis and epiphyseal plate make up the metaphysis