secondary ossification center

Most bones have more than one secondary ossification center.

The point of union of the primary and secondary ossification centers is called the epiphyseal line.

About the time of birth, a secondary ossification center appears in each end (epiphysis) of long bones.

These fractures occur at apophyses (bony projections that lack secondary ossification centers).

Secondary ossification centers develop to form bone, although unlike with the primary ossification center, spongy bone stays at the center of epiphyses instead of marrow.

A secondary ossification center is the area of ossification that appears after the primary ossification center has already appeared - most of which appear during the postnatal and adolescent years.

The cartilage between the primary and secondary ossification centers is called the epiphyseal plate, and it continues to form new cartilage, which is replaced by bone, a process that results in an increase in length of the bone.