EPIPHYSITIS OF THE CAPITELLUM OF THE HUMERUS

The pathologic process known as epiphysitis or osteochondritis is thus entitled because it involves primarily the articular extremities of bones and for the further reason that the epiphysis is frequently detached or destroyed during the progress of the disease. Osteochondritis and epiphysitis are practically identical, the age incidence of activity of the centers of ossification constituting the distinguishing factor. Accordingly, when the center of greatest activity is situated in the epiphysis, epiphysitis results and, when it is located in the centrum, osteochondritis occurs. Although characterized by a similar course in all the epiphyses, the disease manifests itself in each at the age period of most rapid growth. Hence it has been described by certain writers as osteochondritis of the centers of growth or ossification. Proponents of the infectious theory of the still highly controversial etiology define epiphysitis as a form of acute osteomyelitis in which the focus of infection centers