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Glite Dictionary
endochondral

endochondral

1 9.9
Relating to bone that forms inside cartilage, the soft tissue in joints, during growth
  • adjective
  • /ˌɛndoʊˈkɒndrəl/
  • Specialized
: endochondral
  • In endochondral ossification, cartilage is replaced by bone.

Examples

  • Researchers studied the endochondral growth of cartilage in young animals.

  • In the process of endochondral ossification, cartilage is replaced by bone during the growth process.

  • The doctor explained that endochondral bone formation is essential for normal skeletal development.

  • An endochondral tumor was discovered during the patient's routine examination.

  • The endochondral process is crucial for bone development.

  • The doctor explained that endochondral bone formation is essential for normal skeletal development.

  • The endochondral process plays a vital role in the formation of bones within the cartilage.

Surface Forms

endochondral positive

Morphology

endochondral = chondro (opaque) = endo + chondro + al

The parts 'endo-' (within) and 'chondro-' (cartilage) combine in a regular way, but they are medical combining forms not familiar to average learners.

Etymology

Endochondral comes from the parts endo- 'within' and chondro- 'cartilage'. So endochondral means 'inside cartilage', which explains why it describes bone that forms within cartilage during growth.