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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Ossification

Ossification \Os`si*fi*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F. ossification. See Ossify.]

  1. (Physiol.) The formation of bone; the process, in the growth of an animal, by which inorganic material (mainly lime salts) is deposited in cartilage or membrane, forming bony tissue; ostosis.

    Note: Besides the natural ossification of growing tissue, there is the so-called accidental ossification which sometimes follows certain abnormal conditions, as in the ossification of an artery.

  2. The state of being changed into a bony substance; also, a mass or point of ossified tissue.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
ossification

1690s, from Latin ossis "of bones," genitive of os "bone" (see osseous) + -fication.

Wiktionary
ossification

n. 1 the normal process by which bone is formed 2 the calcification of tissue into a bonelike mass; the mass so formed 3 the process of becoming set in one's ways or beliefs; rigid conventionality

WordNet
ossification
  1. n. the developmental process of bone formation

  2. the calcification of soft tissue into a bonelike material

  3. the process of becoming rigidly fixed in a conventional pattern of thught or behavior

  4. hardened conventionality [syn: conformity]

Wikipedia
Ossification

Ossification (or osteogenesis) in bone remodeling is the process of laying down new bone material by cells called osteoblasts. It is synonymous with bone tissue formation. There are two processes resulting in the formation of normal, healthy bone tissue: Intramembranous ossification is the direct laying down of bone into the primitive connective tissue ( mesenchyme), while endochondral ossification involves cartilage as a precursor. In fracture healing, endochondral osteogenesis is the most commonly occurring process, for example in fractures of long bones treated by plaster of Paris, whereas fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation with metal plates, screws, pins, rods and nails may heal by intramembranous osteogenesis.

Heterotopic ossification is a process resulting in the formation of bone tissue that is often atypical, at an extraskeletal location. Calcification is often confused with ossification. Calcification is synonymous with the formation of calcium-based salts and crystals within cells and tissue. It is a process that occurs during ossification, but not vice versa.

The exact mechanisms by which bone development is triggered remains unclear, but it involves growth factors and cytokines in some way.

Usage examples of "ossification".

Washington might spell the beginnings of a slow ossification into the role of dedicated administrator, and a waning of the dynamism that had helped fling humanity across the Solar System.

Ossification of the fontanelles in a mature infant would necessarily prevent full development of the brain.

Inflammation of the endocardium, the lining membrane of the heart, may cause a thickening of it, and ossification of the valves of the heart, thus impairing its function.

As ossification proceeds, the cup-shaped cavities are converted into closed interstices of bone, with extremely thin lamellae, or layers.