Endochondrial Ossification
Endochondrial Ossification

Endochondrial Ossification

In endochondrial ossification, bone is synthesized over a cartilage template. This image shows a growing tibia, with staining dependent on when each component was laid down. Begin by identifying the purple growth plate composed of cartilage with embedded chondrocytes. Similar areas of purple within the trabeculae are regions of calcified cartilage (note that this stain does not distinguish calcified from uncalcified components). Woven bone, laid down over the calcified cartilage, appears light blue in this slide. This preliminary bone will eventually be replaced by more organized lamellar bone. Recently formed bone, appearing red, can be seen laid down over the primary trabeculae of woven bone with a cartilage core.