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ossification (primary/secondary)

The formation of bone or a change into bone. Typical vertebrae begin to ossify toward the end of the embryonic period (8th week) & ossification continues throughout the fetal period. 3 primary centers of ossification: - one in the centrum - one in each half of the vertebral arch 5 secondary centers of ossification (develop during puberty):- - one at the tip of the spinous process - one at the tip of each transverse process All secondary ossification centers usually unite with the vertebra by the 25th year; however the times of the union are variable. [Latin: ossification, from os = bone; facio = to make]

Related

bone turnover; bone repair; bone remodeling ectopic/dystrophic calcification incomplete ossification lack of ossification

General

physiology

References

  1. Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999.
  2. Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 4th edition, KL Moore & AF Dalley (eds), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA 1999.

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