Endochondral ossification

Endochondral ossification is bone formation in which bone tissue replaces a cartilage model. It builds most bones of the skeleton, including long bones.

Chondrocyte hypertrophy: Chondrocyte hypertrophy is the enlargement of cartilage cells as they mature. Enlarging chondrocytes change the cartilage matrix and help initiate its replacement by bone.
Hyaline cartilage: Hyaline cartilage is a firm, flexible connective tissue with a collagen-rich extracellular matrix. Most endochondral bones begin as models made of this cartilage.
Epiphyseal plate: The epiphyseal plate is a layer of cartilage between a long bone's epiphysis and metaphysis during growth. Its cartilage is continually replaced by bone, allowing the shaft to lengthen.
Intramembranous ossification: Intramembranous ossification forms bone directly from mesenchymal tissue without a cartilage model. Unlike endochondral ossification, it does not replace pre-existing cartilage.
Cartilage calcification: Cartilage calcification is the deposition of calcium salts in cartilage matrix. Calcification precedes chondrocyte death and creates a scaffold for invading vessels and bone-forming cells.
Chondrocyte: A chondrocyte is a cell that produces and maintains cartilage matrix. Chondrocytes enlarge, alter their matrix, and eventually die as the model is remodeled.
Longitudinal bone growth: Longitudinal bone growth is the increase in a bone's length, chiefly at its epiphyseal plates. It depends on cartilage growth on one side of the plate and ossification on the other.
Osteogenesis: Osteogenesis is the formation of bone tissue by living cells. Endochondral ossification is one route within the broader process of bone formation.
Perichondrium: The perichondrium is a connective-tissue membrane that surrounds cartilage. It becomes periosteum near the shaft and contributes bone-forming cells to the developing diaphysis.
Osteoblast: An osteoblast is a bone-forming cell that secretes the organic bone matrix. Osteoblasts deposit new bone on the remnants of calcified cartilage.

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