The cartilage that is located at the end of long bones that closes when growth ceases is called the Hyaline cartilage. Hyaline cartilage is found in the synovial joints and assists the motion of joints. It is composed of chondrocytes and extracellular matrix. Chondrocytes plays a major role in the organization of extracellular matrix, which is responsible for the biomechanical properties of cartilage tissue. A region of hyaline cartilage remains over the surface of the epiphysis as the articular cartilage and another area of cartilage remains between the epiphysis and diaphysis.
The epiphyseal plate is the area of growth in a long bone. It is a layer of hyaline cartilage where ossification occurs in immature bones. On the epiphyseal side of the epiphyseal plate, cartilage is formed.
