Bone formation and growth. Cartilage producing cells called chondroblasts build the
initial template for bone formation in the embryonic stage
Hyaline cartilage is used as the model upon which osteoblasts
build bone matrix in a process called ossification
As th
fetus grows the cartilage is digested forming a bone enclosed cavity called the
medulla or
medullary cavity. At birth
only the epiphyseal plate and articular cartilage
have not been converted to bone new cartilage is formed continuously at both
of these locations, making the bone longer
Increase in bone width is appositional growth. To widen the bone,
osteoblasts in the periosteum add bone tissue to the outside the bone shaft
at the same time
osteoclasts remove bone from the medulla
maintaining the thickness of the bone
Once an osteoblast has grown bone around itself and becomes trapped in
bone matrix
inside a lacuna, it differentiates into a mature osteocyte