RESEARCH: How does bone grow and develop? ( Interstitial vs Appositional growth)

Bone Growth and Development
Name
Institution
Background
The interstitial growth of bones results from the increase in the length of bones. This process occurs in the epiphyseal plate. This plate can be divided into two sides namely the diaphyseal side, which is close to the diaphysis, and the epiphyseal side, which is close to the epiphysis. The epiphyseal side is characterized by active hyaline cartilage cells that continuously divide and produce the hyaline cartilage matrix (Rauch, 2005). On the diaphyseal side, the cartilage calcifies and dies before being replaced by the bone. As the cartilage keeps on growing, the structure also elongates as it is turned into bone. The epiphyseal plate is composed of five different zones of cell activity. First, the reserve zone, which is composed of small chondrocytes within its matrix and is used to protect the epiphyseal plate to the overlying epiphysis osseous tissue. Second, the proliferative zone, whereby the dead chondrocytes are replaced through the process of mitosis. Third, the zone of hypertrophy and maturation, where bone elongation and maturation occur. Fourth, the zone of a calcified matrix is characterized by dead and calcified chondrocytes. At this stage, the bone increases in length as a result of the addition of the osseous tissue to the diaphysis. Last, the epiphyseal line, which marks the end of bone proliferation (occurs during the early adulthood stage).
Just as they increase in length, the bones also grow in…