e·piph·y·sis 
(ĭ-pĭfĭ-sĭs)
(ĭ-pĭfĭ-sĭs)n. pl. e·piph·y·ses (-sēz′)
1. The end of a long bone that is originally separated from the main bone by a layer of cartilage but later becomes united to the main bone through ossification.
2. See pineal gland.
[Greek epiphusis, an excrescence : epi-, epi- + phusis, growth; see bheuə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]
ep′i·physi·al (ĕp′ə-fĭzē-əl), ep′i·physe·al adj.