The epiphyseal secondary ossification center: Evolution, development and function

Meng Xie; Andrei S Chagin

doi:10.1016/j.bone.2020.115701

The epiphyseal secondary ossification center: Evolution, development and function

Bone. 2021 Jan:142:115701. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2020.115701. Epub 2020 Oct 20.

Authors

Meng Xie¹, Andrei S Chagin²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
² Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Russia. Electronic address: andrei.chagin@ki.se.

PMID: 33091640
DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2020.115701

Abstract

Bone age is used widely by pediatricians to assess the skeletal maturity of a child and predict growth potential. This entails measuring the size of secondary ossification centers (SOCs), which develop with age in the ends of long bones, which are initially cartilaginous. However, little is presently known about the developmental biology, evolution and functional role of these skeletal elements. Here, we summarize the knowledge currently available in this area and discuss potential primary functions of the SOC.

Keywords: Cartilage canal; Chondrocytes; Development; Evolution; Function; Secondary ossification center (SOC).

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cartilage
Child
Epiphyses*
Humans
Osteogenesis*