Bone growth. Light micrograph of actively growing cells in the growth plate of a scapula (shoulder blade). At each border of the bone is a region of h

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Bone growth. Light micrograph of actively growing cells in the growth plate of a scapula (shoulder blade). At each border of the bone is a region of hyaline cartilage cells called the epiphyseal plate. Here, columns of cartilage cells (chondrocytes, right) divide, enlarge and eventually die. The cartilage matrix is replaced with bone (left) formed from osteoblast cells. This process is known as ossification and it serves to increase the area of the bone. The junction between cartilage and bone is called the metaphysis.

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Size: 5111px × 3430px
Photo credit: © ASTRID & HANNS-FRIEDER MICHLER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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