The cartilaginous growth plate at the end of bones where new bone growth occurs during childhood and adolescence.
From Greek 'chondros' (cartilage) + 'epi-' (upon) + 'physis' (growth), referring to the cartilage layer that sits on top of the bone growth centers.
Your growth plates are made of chondroepiphysis—these are like biological timers that eventually 'close' around age 18-25, which is why your height stops increasing after that age.
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