title: Growth plate biology: new insights.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the most recent findings of growth plate regulation and physiology. The mechanism of endochondrial bone growth is incompletely understood and continues to be an active area of research.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this review, new understandings of growth plate chondrocyte regulation of proliferation, differentiation and ossification are discussed. Through genetic studies potential signaling pathways are proposed and new insights into hormonal influences on growth are offered. New potential genetic pathways regulating growth are suggested and finally skeletal dysplasia and potential emerging treatment are considered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings discussed here continue to build the understanding of the mechanisms of growth. As our knowledge increases potential treatments for growth inhibiting conditions can be developed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. rmarino1@partners.org
authors.forename: Rose
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001846:Bone Development / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001848:Bone Diseases, Developmental / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006728:Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones