The influence of vascular and periosteal interferences on the histological structure of the growth plates of long bones.

Investigations have been carried out on the histological structure of the growth plates of the rabbit femur following interferences of the vascular blood supply in the metaphysial/diaphysial area and following 3 different types of periosteal division. Trepanation of the cortex had no observable effect on the growth plate. Following the other vascular interferences the reaction of the growth plates was characterised by a total or a partial thickening due to an accumulation of hypertrophic cells followed by a period of regeneration until 40 d p.o. Following periosteal intervention only small differences between operated and non-operated femur were observed. It was concluded that the fibrous periosteum, in contrast to the vascular supply of the metaphysial/diaphysial area plays a role in the local growth regulation of the epiphysial plate, probably by affecting the rate of mitosis of the germinal cells.