Bone is a dynamic tissue that serves three main functions: skeletal homeostasis (structure and movement), mineral homeostasis (ion storage and release), and hematopoiesis (blood cell formation). Bone formation occurs through either endochondral ossification (using a cartilage template) or intramembranous ossification (without a cartilage template). Endochondral ossification is the primary method for forming long bones and involves the transformation of a cartilage skeleton to bone. The growth plate, or physis, is a key structure in the pediatric skeleton that allows for longitudinal growth.
The chapter details the process of bone formation, highlighting the roles of osteoblasts (bone-forming cells), osteocytes (mature bone … Read more
