Chondrocyte Growth Sequence
Chondrocyte Growth Sequence

Chondrocyte Growth Sequence

This image shows the different stages of chondrocyte development during endochondrial ossification. In the initial stage, the chondrocytes are resting and the cartilage is not being converted to bone matrix. They then go through a stage of proliferation, where each lacuna contains numerous chondrocytes. This is followed by maturation/hypertrophy phases in which the chondrocytes and their lacunae appear much larger than when they were resting. The cartilage is eventually calcified. Finally, the calcified cartilage is adsorbed by osteoclasts, woven bone is laid down and after ~70 days is converted to lamellar bone.