During childhood, the growth plate contains the connecting cartilage enabling the bone to grow; at adulthood (between the ages of 18 and 25 years), the components of the growth plate stop growing altogether and completely ossify into solid bone.

[2] In an adult, the metaphysis functions to transfer loads from weight-bearing joint surfaces to the diaphysis.

[3] Because of their rich blood supply and vascular stasis, metaphyses of long bones are prone to hematogenous spread of osteomyelitis in children.

[4] Metaphyseal tumors or lesions include osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, osteoblastoma, enchondroma, fibrous dysplasia, simple bone cyst, aneurysmal bone cyst, non-ossifying fibroma, and osteoid osteoma.

[5] One of the clinical signs of rickets that doctors look for is cupping and fraying at the metaphyses when seen on X-ray.