In Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE), the slip occurs through which zone of the physis?
- A Zone of hypertrophy (column zone), specifically the prehypertrophic–hypertrophic transition zone ✓
- B Zone of reserve cartilage (resting zone)
- C Zone of proliferation
- D Zone of calcification (provisional calcification)
Correct answer: A. Zone of hypertrophy (column zone), specifically the prehypertrophic–hypertrophic transition zone
Explanation
The slip in SCFE occurs through the hypertrophic zone of the physis — the weakest zone structurally, as the columnar chondrocytes are large, vacuolated, and poorly anchored in their lacunae. Shear forces from obesity, adolescent growth hormone surges (which increase columnar cell height and weaken the zone), or endocrine disorders (hypothyroidism, growth hormone excess) concentrate at the hypertrophic zone, causing the capital epiphysis to displace posteriorly and inferiorly while the femoral neck moves anterosuperiorly.
Reference: Maheshwari Essential Orthopaedics, 6th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.