Chapter 6.1, Problem 5I

Summary Introduction

To explain: The way in which x-rays of the femur be used to determine whether a person has reached full height.

Introduction: Endochondral ossification, also known as intra-cartilaginous ossification, is the growth of a bone within the cartilage. It is mainly used in the formation of long bones and involves six steps. These include formation of the hyaline cartilage model, replacement of the hyaline cartilage by a bone in the diaphysis and epiphysis, and as the individual becomes adult, the bone growth is complete as all the epiphyseal plates have been ossified.