Epiphysis: Understanding the Ends of Bones - Definition & Function

The medical term for the ends of a bone is epiphysis (plural: epiphyses). The epiphysis is the region at the end of a long bone that is responsible for growth. It is separated from the main part of the bone, the diaphysis, by a layer of cartilage called the growth plate. The growth plate allows the bone to grow in length until the individual reaches adulthood.