In Which Direction Does the Skeleton Ossify?

James H. Sterling
James H. Sterling
• • 7 min read

At the Same Time, the Cartilage in the Center of the Diaphysis Begins to Disintegrate. Osteoblasts Penetrate the Disintegrating Cartilage and Replace It with...

In Which Direction Does the Skeleton Ossify?

At the same time, the cartilage in the center of the diaphysis begins to disintegrate. Osteoblasts penetrate the disintegrating cartilage and replace it with spongy bone

spongy bone
Spongy (cancellous) bone is lighter and less dense than compact bone. Spongy bone consists of plates (trabeculae) and bars of bone adjacent to small, irregular cavities that contain red bone marrow. The canaliculi connect to the adjacent cavities, instead of a central haversian canal, to receive their blood supply.
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. This forms a primary ossification center
ossification center
An ossification center is a point where ossification of the cartilage begins. The first step in ossification is that the cartilage cells at this point enlarge and arrange themselves in rows. The matrix in which they are imbedded increases in quantity, so that the cells become further separated from each other.
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. Ossification continues from this center toward the ends of the bones.

How does the skeleton ossify?

Osteoblasts penetrate the disintegrating cartilage and replace it with spongy bone. This forms a primary ossification center. Ossification continues from this center toward the ends of the bones. After spongy bone is formed in the diaphysis, osteoclasts break down the newly formed bone to open up the medullary cavity.

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Do bones ossify from the center outward?

The new bone formation radiates outward from ossification centres in the membrane. This process is called intermembranous ossification. There are several ossification centres in the skull. At birth, bone formation is incomplete, and soft spots can be felt between these centres.

James H. Sterling

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist
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James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.