Multiple choice

The conversion of cartilage into bone occurs in the five zones. In which of the following zones, the chondrocytes die?

  1. Zone of reserve cartilage

  2. Zone of cell proliferation

  3. Zone of cell hypertrophy

  4. Zone of calcification

  5. Zone of bone deposition
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Within each column, the walls between the lacunae break down and the chondrocytes die. This converts each column into a longitudinal channel, which is immediately invaded by blood vessels and marrow from the marrow cavity. Osteoblasts line up along the walls of these channels and begin depositing concentric lamellae of matrix, while osteoclasts dissolve the temporarily calcified cartilage.

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