= Growth Plate

Four distinct zones of cartilage in longitudinal layers

1. Germinal zone = small cells
   adjacent to epiphyseal ossification center
2. Zone of proliferation = flattened cells
   arranged in columns
3. Zone of hypertrophy = swollen vacuolated cells
   1. zone of maturation
   2. zone of degeneration
   3. zone of provisional calcification
4. Zone of primary and secondary spongiosa