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 asHarris lines, are lines of increasedbone density that represent the position of thegrowth plate at the time ofinsult to the organism and formed onlong bones due togrowth arrest. They are only visible byradiograph 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 juvenilemalnutrition, 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.^[1] The lines are named after Henry Albert Harris (1886–1968), professor of anatomy at theUniversity of Cambridge.^[2]

Particularly, deficiencies inprotein andvitamins, which lead to delayed longitudinalbone growth, can result in the formation of Harris lines.^[3] During the process ofendochondral bone growth, the cessation of osteoblastic activity results in the deposition of a thin layer of bone beneath thecartilage cap, potentially forming Harris lines.^[4][5] Subsequent recovery, necessary for the restoration ofosteoblastic activity, is also implicated in Harris line formation.^[6] When matured cartilage cells reactivate, bone growth resumes, causing a thickening of the bony stratum. Therefore, complete recovery from periods of chronic illness ormalnutrition also manifests as transverse lines on radiographs. Lines tend to be thicker with prolonged and severe malnutrition. Harris line formation typically peaks in long bones around 2–3 years after birth and becomes rare until adulthood after the age of 5. Additionally, Harris lines occur more frequently in boys than in girls.^[7]

• Skeletal disorders
• Musculoskeletal radiographic signs

• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata