AEMCA Practice Exam

What is the process of bone formation called when hyaline cartilage is replaced?

1. Calcification

2. Ossification

3. Mineralization

4. Reconstruction

The correct answer is: Ossification

The process of bone formation in which hyaline cartilage is replaced by bone tissue is known as ossification. This is a critical part of endochondral ossification, where a cartilage model serves as a precursor to the development of bone, particularly in the formation of long bones. During this process, chondrocytes within the cartilage mature, hypertrophy, and eventually die, paving the way for blood vessels to invade the area and osteoblasts to replace the cartilage matrix with bone matrix. Ossification is essential for the growth of long bones and the overall skeletal structure. Calcification typically refers to the accumulation of calcium salts in tissues and can occur in various contexts, not limited to the formation of bone from cartilage. Mineralization can also refer to the process of minerals being deposited in the bone matrix, but it does not specifically describe the transformation from cartilage to bone. Reconstruction generally implies repairing or rebuilding existing structures, which does not directly relate to the original process of forming bone from cartilage. Therefore, ossification is the most accurate term to describe this specific biological process.