Do all the growth plates close at the same time?

The areas of new bone growth in children and teens are called growth plates.The nose, for instance, is made of cartilage, which is a rubbery, flexible material.

The ends of long bones are where most growth plates are located.Long bones are the same as wide bones.They include:

Growth plates help bones grow.Each long bone has two growth plates.Length and width are added to the bone.

The growth plates become solid bone as kids grow.A closed growth plate is a plate that has hardened into bone.The bones are no longer growing after a growth plate closes.

Growth plates close at the end of puberty.This is when girls and boys are 13 and 17 years old.

There is a break in the growth plate.The bones of the fingers, forearm, and lower leg are where it happens most often.Growth plates do not affect future bone growth.

Changes in the growth plate can cause problems later.The bone could end up being shorter or crooked than expected.