1. Plural of physis; the natural growth or development of an organism or body part.
Usage: technical; medical/anatomical
2. Plural of physis; the growth plate or epiphyseal plate in bones, especially in children and adolescents.
Usage: medical; anatomy

Examples

• The physes in the long bones of children allow for growth in height.
• Damage to the physes during a fracture can affect future bone development.
• Radiologists examine the physes to assess skeletal maturity in young patients.
• The closure of the physes marks the end of longitudinal bone growth.
• Injuries to the physes require careful management to prevent complications.