Abnormal skeletal morphology Abnormal growth plate morphology 2017-02-20T14:32:08Z Abnormality of growth plate morphology A structural anomaly of the growth plates (epiphyseal plates), areas of cartilage located near the ends of long bones that are located between the metaphysis (widened part of the shaft of the bone) and the epiphysis (end of the bone) and in which growth occurs in the developing bone. After conclusion of bone growth, the growth plates ossify (harden into solid bone).