title: [Growth plate structure of the vertebral body in children of different age groups].
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the regularities of formation and functioning of the structural components of the growth plate (GP) of the vertebral body in children during the postnatal period of ontogenesis: in newborns and in children aged 1, 3-5- 6-10- and 12-14-years. GP samples of were studied using histological, histochemical (demonstration of oxidation-reduction enzyme activity, polysaccharides, glycosaminoglycans) and electron microscopic methods with special reference to the age changes of the cells and matrix in different GP zones of the vertebral body. The process of chondrogenic differentiation is described, which includes the successive stages of cellular modifications starting from an undifferentiated chondroblast through a highly differentiated chondrocyte to a degrading and dying chondrocyte. The changes in synthetic activity of cartilage cells are noted as well as the nature of matrix components that are produced by them in the course of differentiation. Regular age-related changes of spatial distribution of mitotically active cells, forming cellular columns, and of isogenous groups are characterized in relation to the alterations of matrix quantity and chemical content in GP of the vertebral body.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Zaĭdman
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Korel'
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Sakharov
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D013131:Spine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure*