ossification

Os`si*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. ossification. See Ossify.] 1. (Physiol.) Defn: The formation of bone; the process, in the growth of an animal, by which inorganic material (mainly lime salts) is deposited in cartilage or membrane, forming bony tissue; ostosis. Note: Besides the natural ossification of growing tissue, there is the so-called accidental ossification which sometimes follows certain abnormal conditions, as in the ossification of an artery. 2. The state of being changed into a bony substance; also, a mass or point of ossified tissue.

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