ENDOCHONDRAL & INTRAMEMBRANOUS TYPES OF GROWTH, SYNCHONDROSIS, DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GROWTHSITE & GROWTH CENTER

ENDOCHONDRAL OSSIFICATION
The formation of bone in which a cartilage template is gradually replaced by a bone matrix, as in the formation of long bones

Endochondral bone formation involves production of bone in areas where there are high levels of compression. Thus it is seen in the cranial base and in movable joints.

STAGES OF ENDOCHONDRAL OSSIFICATION

During endochondral bone formation, the first step is the differentiation of mesenchymal cells into chondrocytes
These chondrocytes form a rough model which is enclosed by perichondral cells Cartilage mass grows both by interstitial growth and by apposition

Cartilage cells hypertrophy and their matrix begins to get calcified

During this time, blood vessels penetrate the cartilage mass from the perichondrium

These penetrating blood vessels carry un differentiated mesenchymal cells along with them, which get converted into osteoblasts

Osteoblasts subsequently deposit bone and bone spicules are formed

Gradually the cartilage mass is replaced by bone

IMPORTANCE OF ENDOCHONDRAL OSSIFICATION

Cartilage behaves like a soft tissue and growth takes place both by interstitial growth and appositional growth. In bone, interstitial growth is not possible Cartilage unlike bone is a pressure adapted tissue and can grow in heavy pressure areas, e.g. cranial base. Direction of growth is not unidirectional like bone. Linear growth takes place allowing lengthening of bone.

INTRAMEMBRANOUS OSSIFICATION
the development of bone within connective tissue, without any intermediate formation of cartilage, is known as Intramembranous ossification.
Membranous ossification or bone formation occurs on the outer surface of bone (periosteum), inner surface (endosteum),sutures, etc. All bones formed this way are flat

STAGES OF INTRAMEMBRANOUS BONE FORMATION

IMPORTANCE OF MEMBRANOUS OSSIFICATION

Membranous ossification or growth is seen in areas of tension Growth takes place outward or externally

SYNCHONDROSIS
A form of articulation in which the bones are rigidly fused by cartilage. Synchondroses are the remains of the primary cartilaginous skeleton . They are predominantly seen in the cranial base growth sites in the base of skull.

EXAMPLES OF SYNCHONDROSIS JOINT

sternocostal joint (where the first rib meets the sternum) temporary form of joint called epiphyseal growth plate, where the cartilage is converted into bone before adult life.

TYPES OF SYNCHONDROSIS
Synchondroses Age of fusion

Intersphenoidal synchondroses

At birth

Spheno-occipital synchondroses Spheno-ethmoidal synchondroses

20 years

Exactly not known

Growth Site

Growth centre/growth field

Is any location or place where growth takes place

Is any location or place where genetically controlled growth takes place

Is a region of periosteal or sutural bone Are places of ossification with tissue formation and remodeling resorption separating force adaptive to environment Sites of growth when transplanted to another area do not continue to grow Centres of growth when transplanted to another area continues to grow

Marked response to external influences

Less response to external influence .More response to functional needs

Growth site

Growth centre / growth field

All growth centres are growth sites

All growth sites are not growth centres

Theories of growth are not based on growth site

Various theories of growth are based on the place where growth centre is expressed Growth centre controls the overall growth of the bone

Growth site do not control the overall growth of the bone