Fibrous metaphyseal defect.

The tendon and ligaments inserted into the perichondrium of the epiphyseal plate were examined in 152 autopsy specimens of tubular long bones. In the region of two areas where tendons were inserted (Ranvier's nodes), the normal medullary tissue is replaced by fibroblastic tissue. A retrospective radiological examination of 155 fibrous metaphyseal defects shows that they are situated at characteristic sites on the circumference of the metaphysis of long tubular bones. This can be related to the insertion of a tendon or ligament near the epiphyseal growth plate which corresponds to areas found in the morphological study and is the site of origin of fibrous metaphyseal defects.