Growth plates

[Brightwolf]

So we're learning about the skeletal system in med terminology this week and it got me thinking: when do the growth plates fuse for guys and if there was any way you could tell if they were closed or open without going to the doctor? I was wondering because I don't want to ask my parents because they'll say that it's stupid (and I agree it kinda is, but I just want confermation if I'm still growing or not).

[zzzzzzzzzz]

I will always say the only silly question is one that's not asked! I've had to google growth plates to see what they are and there's a lot out there. It seems some can go up to 18 to 21 years old. I don't know if there's an easy way to tell without a doctor and an x-ray though.

[jamie_n5]

I am no expert but I would say they set or fuse between 18-20.
I think that would be a good question to Google for an answer too.

[volleyballer13]

you cant tell without xray/bone scan. They are usually closed by 18 though. obviously everyone is different so varies.

[ska8er]

It all depends on ur growth hormones and the end
of puberty between 18 and 21 years of age-along
with all the other changes in ur body. To see if ur
plates have fused u have to have x-rays done and
probably c an endocrinologist if u have any questions
concerning ur growth. We all grow at different levels.

[Hermes]

I don't know of any way to get an instant answer other by scan/x-ray.

It may be helpful to know that people grow outside in so your feet and hands grow first, then your arms and legs, then finally your trunk so the first sign that you are getting towards the end of growing is when your feet have stopped growing. Actually you hands will have too but we measure feet for shoes, we don't do the same for hands.

Other than that all you can do is measure, wait a while, thne repeat to see if there has been any change.

[rynoblue]

what is a growth plate?

[Hermes]

what is a growth plate?

The short answer is it where your bones grow.

In more detail bone forms as cartiledge which is tough, but slightly flexible, then calcium is deposited into the cartiledge to make it hard whereupon it becomes bone, a process known as ossification. Once the cartiledge has turned to bone it doesn't grow any more - you can't stretch someone hard it would break.

So during the time you are growing there are places in your bones where there is still some cartiledge that has not yet turned to bone. In the case of the long bones, i.e. arms and legs, this is usually towards the end of the bone not quite at the joint.

As you grow there are two processes going on - producing new cartiledge which has the effect of making the bone longer, and converting cartiledge to bone. As long as these proceed at the same rate the size of the growth plate, the bit that is still cartiledge, will remain the same. When you finish growing the body stops producing new cartiledge but ossification continues until eventually the remaing cartiledge, what was the growth plate, has become hard bone.

Once has happenned further growth is not possible. Even if a doctor was to re-create the same balance of hormones you had when you were growing it wouldn't cause you to start growing again.

[rynoblue]

o cool thanks! i didnt kno how all that worked