ossification

American  

[os-uh-fi-key-shuhn] / ˌɒs ə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of ossifying.

2. the state of being ossified.

3. something that has ossified; a bony formation.

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ossification British  

/ ˌɒsɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the formation of or conversion into bone

2. the process of ossifying or the state of being ossified

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ossification Scientific  

/ ŏs′ə-fĭ-kā′shən /

1. The process of bone formation, brought about by the action of specialized bone cells called osteoclasts, which absorb old bone tissue, and osteoblasts, which form from osteoclasts and produce new bone tissue. This remodeling of bone is a constant process that maintains bone strength.

2. See more at osteoblast osteoclast

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Etymology

Origin of ossification

1690–1700; < Latin ossi-, combining form of os bone + -fication

Example Sentences

The ossification of the bone fragments also indicates that pressure was occasionally applied to the stump as the young hunter-gatherer probably rested on it after the limb was removed, he added.

From Washington Post • Sep. 7, 2022

Secondary ossification centers form in the epiphyses as blood vessels and osteoblasts enter these areas and convert hyaline cartilage into spongy bone.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

All of the bones of the body, except for the flat bones of the skull, mandible, and clavicles, are formed through endochondral ossification.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The development of bone from fibrous membranes is called intramembranous ossification; development from hyaline cartilage is called endochondral ossification.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

A small, oval foramen involves the posterior part of the ethmoid and anterior portion of frontoparietals; continued ossification in older specimens fills in the foramen, thereby resulting in a solidly roofed cranium.

From Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus Smilisca by Duellman, William E.