Development of the tibial tuberosity

Abstract

The tibial tuberosity develops by a concomitant, and juxtaposed, outgrowth of hyaline cartilage and ingrowth of fibrovascular tissue. During the fetal period this hyaline cartilage outgrowth is progressively distally displaced to become situated adjacent to the anterior portion of the tibial metaphysis. About four to six months post-natally a growth plate develops under the tibial tuberosity. This growth plate shows structural adaptations that permit accommodation of large tensile stresses. The growth plate of the tibial tuberosity has three distinct regions — (a) a zone of endochondral bone formation, (b) a zone of intramembranous bone formation through fibrocartilage, and (c) a zone of intramembranous bone formation through fibrous tissue.