What is the process of bone growth and formation called?

The process of bone growth and formation is known as ossification. Ossification refers specifically to the conversion of cartilage or fibrous connective tissue into bone. This process is crucial during the development of the skeletal system in embryos and continues throughout life as bones grow and repair.

During ossification, osteoblasts, which are bone-forming cells, create a matrix that eventually becomes mineralized, leading to the hardening of the bone structure. There are two main types of ossification: intramembranous ossification, which primarily occurs in flat bones such as the skull, and endochondral ossification, which is observed in the formation of long bones where cartilage is replaced by bone.

While terms like calcification and mineralization can relate to the processes that make bone hard, calcification specifically refers to the accumulation of calcium salts in tissues, which can occur in other contexts outside of bone formation. Remodeling, on the other hand, describes the ongoing process of bone renewal and reshaping that occurs after bones have formed, rather than the initial creation of bone tissue. Therefore, ossification is the most accurate term for the specific process where bone is formed and developed.