Difference Between Epiphysis And Diaphysis

Epiphysis and Diaphysis both are parts of a long bone. The animal body is made up of long bones and short bones. Long bones are made of spongy bone and compact bone. This long bone consists of many other parts such as the medullary cavity, articular cartilage, endosteum, periosteum, proximal and distal epiphysis, and the nutrient foramen. The long bone is then divided into two main parts namely Epiphysis and Diaphysis.

Difference between Epiphysis and Diaphysis

The difference between Epiphysis and Diaphysis are as follows:

Features	Epiphysis	Diaphysis
Definition	The epiphysis is defined as the end part of the long bone.	Diaphysis is defined as the narrow shaft of a long bone.
Shape	The epiphysis is rounded in shape at the end of a long bone.	The diaphysis is cylindrical in shape at the end of a long bone.
Function/ Task done	The main task of Epiphysis is forming joints with other adjacent bones.	The main task of Diaphysis is the repairing, growing, and remodeling of bones.
Type of bone marrow present	Epiphysis consists of red bone borrow.	Diaphysis consists of yellow bone marrow
Amount of calcium present	Epiphysis consists of less amount of calcium.	Diaphysis consists of more amount of calcium.
Strength	The epiphysis is less strong than Diaphysis.	The diaphysis is more strong than Epiphysis.
Presence of marrow cavity	Epiphysis contains a marrow cavity.	Marrow cavity is not present in Diaphysis.
Functional Unit	The trabecula is known as the functional unit of Epiphysis.	Osteon is the functional unit of Diaphysis.
Composed of/Made of	The epiphysis is composed of Spongy bone.	The diaphysis is composed of Cortical bone.
Types	Epiphysis bone is further classified as proximal epiphysis and distal epiphysis.	There are no further types of Diaphysis.

What is meant by Epiphysis?

The epiphysis is defined as a rounded end part of the long bone. The main task of Epiphysis is forming joints with other adjacent bones. Therefore it has a round-like structure at the end. This Epiphysis bone is further classified as proximal epiphysis and distal epiphysis. These two types of epiphysis are covered with articular cartilage. The epiphysis is made of bone named as spongy bone. This spongy bone is also known as trabeculae bone.

What is meant by Diaphysis?

Diaphysis is defined as a narrow shaft of the long bone and has a cylindrical shape. Many muscles are attached to the shaft of a long bone. The outermost layer of the diaphysis is made up of cortical bone. The diaphysis is made of thick compost of bone and therefore it is the hardest part of the long bone. Yellow bone marrow is present inside the medullary cavity of the diaphysis. With the help of metaphysis diaphysis is attached to epiphysis from both ends.

FAQs on Epiphysis and Diaphysis

1. Do all the Bones in the Human Body consists of Epiphysis and Diaphysis?

No, short bones do not consist of diaphysis. Whereas both the long and short bones consist of epiphysis.

2. What are the Joints present between Epiphysis and Diaphysis examples of?

The joints present in between Epiphysis and Diaphysis are examples of Synchondroses. The joints are not movable and the bones in it are connected by hyaline cartilage.

3. What Type of Tissue is present in Diaphysis?

The type of tissue present in Diaphysis is trabecular bone tissue.

4. Are the Bone Marrow present in Epiphysis and Diaphysis the same?

The type of bone marrow present in Epiphysis and Diaphysis is different. Epiphysis consists of red bone marrow wherever Diaphysis consists of yellow bone marrow.