Ossification Information & Ossification Links at HealthHaven.com

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Ossification is a medical term that is synonymous with bone tissue formation. Endochondral ossification and intramembranous ossification are two processes resulting in the formation of normal, healthy bone tissue.^[1] Heterotopic ossification is a process resulting in the formation of bone tissue, that is often atypical, at an extraskeletal location. Calcification is a medical term that is often confused with ossification. Calcification is synonymous with the formation of calcium-based salts and crystals within cells and tissue. Calcification is a process that occurs during ossification, but not vice versa.

[edit] Evolution

Several hypotheses have been proposed for how bone evolved as a structural element in vertebrates. One hypothesis is that bone developed from tissues that evolved to store minerals. Specifically, calcium-based minerals were stored in cartilage and bone was an exaptation development from this calcified cartilage.^[2] However, other possibilities include bony tissue evolving as an osmotic barrier, or as a protective structure.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

^ Caetano-Lopes J, Canhão H, Fonseca JE (2007). "Osteoblasts and bone formation". Acta reumatológica portuguesa 32 (2): 103–10. PMID 17572649.
^ Donoghue PC, Sansom IJ (2002). "Origin and early evolution of vertebrate skeletonization". Microsc. Res. Tech. 59 (5): 352–72. doi:10.1002/jemt.10217. PMID 12430166.

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[0] Caetano-Lopes J, Canhão H, Fonseca JE (2007). "Osteoblasts and bone formation". Acta reumatológica portuguesa 32 (2): 103–10. PMID 17572649.

[1] Donoghue PC, Sansom IJ (2002). "Origin and early evolution of vertebrate skeletonization". Microsc. Res. Tech. 59 (5): 352–72. doi:10.1002/jemt.10217. PMID 12430166.

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