Abstract
The primary physis is responsible for long bone growth in children and adolescents.
Injury and physiologic or metabolic stress to the primary physis present unique radiologic
findings that are important for radiologists to recognize and diagnose. Appreciation
of the anatomy and histology of the primary physis forms the basis for understanding
the imaging findings associated with pathologic conditions affecting the primary physis.
Salter-Harris injuries, physeal bars, growth arrest lines, rickets, and focal periphyseal
edema zones are common conditions with recognizable radiologic presentations. Proper
diagnosis of these primary physeal conditions will aid in the treatment of affected
pediatric patients.
Keywords
primary physis - Salter-Harris fractures - rickets - physeal bars
