Growth Plates: Pelvis Closure and Height Changes

Questions about growth plates?

Hello Dr.
Lee, I would like to ask you, you mentioned last time that the pelvis is the last growth plate to close in the human body.
If the pelvis is completely closed, does that mean the spinal growth plates are also completely closed? My second question is, how many centimeters taller is a person in the morning compared to the evening? For a girl who is 160 cm tall.
Thank you very much, Dr.
Lee!

Xiao Yue, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2019/08/04

Dr. Li Yongheng reply Orthopedics

Hello, 1.
The pelvis is the last growth plate to close in the human body; therefore, if the pelvis is fully closed, it indicates that the spinal growth plates have also completely closed.
2.
Measuring height in the morning is typically about 2-3 centimeters taller than in the evening.

Reply Date: 2019/08/04

More Info

Understanding growth plates is crucial for comprehending how height changes occur during development. Growth plates, or epiphyseal plates, are areas of developing cartilage tissue located at the ends of long bones. They are responsible for the lengthening of bones during childhood and adolescence.
To address your first question, the pelvis is indeed one of the last areas in the human body to close its growth plates. However, it is important to clarify that while the closure of the pelvic growth plates is a significant indicator of skeletal maturity, it does not necessarily mean that the growth plates in the spine (vertebrae) have also closed. The vertebral growth plates can close at different times, and their closure is influenced by various factors, including genetics and hormonal changes.
In general, the growth plates in the spine tend to close after those in the pelvis. Therefore, if the pelvic growth plates are fully closed, it is likely that the vertebral growth plates have also closed or are very close to closure. However, it is not an absolute rule, and individual variations can occur.
Regarding your second question about height measurements, it is common for individuals to measure slightly taller in the morning compared to the evening. This phenomenon is primarily due to the compression of the intervertebral discs in the spine throughout the day. When we are upright and engaged in daily activities, the discs between the vertebrae are subjected to pressure, causing them to compress and resulting in a slight decrease in height. Conversely, during sleep, the spine decompresses, allowing the discs to rehydrate and expand, which can lead to a height increase of about 1 to 2 centimeters (approximately 0.4 to 0.8 inches) in the morning.
For a person who is 160 cm tall, this means that in the morning, they might measure around 162 to 163 cm, while in the evening, they could measure closer to their actual height of 160 cm due to the compression that occurs throughout the day.
In summary, the closure of the pelvic growth plates is a significant marker of skeletal maturity, but it does not definitively indicate the closure of the spinal growth plates. Additionally, daily height fluctuations are normal and can be attributed to the compression and decompression of spinal discs. Understanding these concepts can help clarify the relationship between growth plates and height changes during development.

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