Insulin-like growth factor in the context of "Heterocrine gland"

Ossification (also called osteogenesis or bone mineralization) in bone remodeling is the process of laying down new bone material by cells named osteoblasts. It is synonymous with bone tissue formation. There are two processes resulting in the formation of normal, healthy bone tissue: Intramembranous ossification is the direct laying down of bone into the primitive connective tissue (mesenchyme), while endochondral ossification involves cartilage as a precursor.

In fracture healing, endochondral osteogenesis is the most commonly occurring process, for example in fractures of long bones treated by plaster of Paris, whereas fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation with metal plates, screws, pins, rods and nails may heal by intramembranous osteogenesis.

In osteology, bone remodeling or bone metabolism is a lifelong process where mature bone tissue is removed from the skeleton (a process called bone resorption) and new bone tissue is formed (a process called ossification or new bone formation). Recent research has identified a specialised subset of blood vessels, termed Type R endothelial cells, in the bone microenvironment. These blood vessels play a crucial role in adult bone remodelling by mediating interactions between bone-resorbing osteoclasts and bone-forming osteoblasts. Type R blood vessels are characterised by their association with post-arterial capillaries and exhibit unique remodelling properties crucial for bone homeostasis. These processes also control the reshaping or replacement of bone following injuries like fractures but also micro-damage, which occurs during normal activity. Remodeling responds also to functional demands of the mechanical loading.

In the first year of life, almost 100% of the skeleton is replaced. In adults, remodeling proceeds at about 10% per year.