![](http://www.alamy.com/thumbs/6/A86EF360-85A4-40AB-91B7-77BC5A878192/2ADC834.jpg)
Light micrograph of a long bone in process of ossification. The diaphyseal ossification centre is already well advanced, showing diaphyseal bony cuffs
Light micrograph of a long bone in process of ossification. The diaphyseal ossification centre is already well advanced, showing diaphyseal bony cuffs (formed by immature bone tissue) and hematopoietic bone marrow in the medullary canal. The thickness of the bony cuff is greater in the centre of the shaft and decreases as it approaches the epiphyses. At the epiphyseal end of the ossification centre, cartilage is beginning to organize itself into the future epiphyseal, or growth, cartilages. The epiphyseal ossification centres have not yet been formed, the epiphyses being formed by hyaline cartilage. To the left of the image the future articulation has been differentiated and the articular cavity and even the outline of the menisci can be recognised. Magnification: x36 when printed at 10 centimetres across.
Size: 6368px × 2744px
Photo credit: © JOSE CALVO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: biological, biology, bone, cartilage, centre, chondrocyte, development, endochondral, epiphysis, fetal, foetal, growing, growth, healthy, histological, histology, light, matrix, micrograph, normal, ossification, plate, primary, skeletal, skeleton