PPT Slide
Ossification continues from the primary ossification center towards the ends of the bones.
After spongy bone is formed in diaphysis, osteoclasts break it down to open up medullary cavity
The cartilage in the epiphysis continues to grow, so developing bone increases in length
After birth, secondary ossification centers form in epiphyses – ossification is similar, except spongy bone is not broken down.
Once ossification is complete – the cartilage is all replaced except at the surface of the epiphysis [articular cartilage] and between the diaphysis and epiphysis [epiphyseal plate]