Ossification

Definition

Ossification is the process by which bone tissue is formed, allowing for the development and growth of bones in the body. This biological process transforms cartilage or fibrous tissues into bone, playing a crucial role in skeletal system development and fracture healing.

Related terms

Chondrocytes: Cells found within cartilage that play an essential role in the early stages of ossification by providing a model for bone formation.

Osteoblasts: Bone-forming cells responsible for producing new bone material during ossification, essentially laying down the foundation of bone tissue.

Endochondral ossification: A specific type of ossification where bones are initially modeled in cartilage and thereafter replaced by bone tissue, critical for forming long bones in the body