Growth arrest lines

Growth arrest lines
Other names	Harris lines
Growth arrest lines in a child with an underlying bone disease
Specialty	Orthopedics, radiology

Growth arrest lines, also known as Harris lines, are lines of increased bone density that represent the position of the growth plate at the time of insult to the organism and formed on long bones due to growth arrest. They are only visible by radiograph or in cross-section. The age at which the lines were formed can be estimated from a radiograph. Harris lines are often discussed as a result of juvenile malnutrition, disease or trauma. Other studies suggest a reconsideration of Harris lines as more of a result of normal growth and growth spurts, rather than a pure outcome of nutritional or pathologic stress. The lines are named after Henry Albert Harris, 1886-1968, professor of anatomy at the University of Cambridge.

Further reading