Suppose that epiphyseal lines appear in a 10-year-old's long bones. Which of the following statements is, therefore, true?
A) The epiphyseal plates have ossified and further growth in length is not possible.
B) Administration of growth hormone will stimulate future bone growth in length.
C) Osteoclasts will dissolve the metaphysis so length growth can continue until adulthood.
D) More growth will occur during the teenage years as sex hormones stimulate rebuilding of growth plates.
E) Intramembranous ossification will enable further growth in length.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Epiphyseal lines are formed when the epiphyseal plates have ossified and the bones have stopped growing in length. Therefore, option A is the correct answer. Growth hormone would not stimulate bone growth in this case since the growth plates have already closed. Osteoclasts do dissolve bone tissue, but they are not responsible for opening up the growth plates again. Sex hormones may contribute to bone growth, but not in this case since the growth plates have already ossified. Intramembranous ossification involves the formation of flat bones, not long bones that grow in length through endochondral ossification.

Suppose That Epiphyseal Lines Appear in a 10-Year-Old's Long Bones