GENERAL HISTOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Endochondral ossification begins with mesenchymal tissue transforming into a cartilage intermediate, which is later replaced by bone and forms the remainder of the axial skeleton and the long bones.

Detailed explanation-2: -Endochondral ossification is the mechanism responsible for the formation of all long bones of the axial skeleton (vertebrae and ribs) and the appendicular skeleton (limbs).

Detailed explanation-3: -Answer and Explanation: The correct answer is option (b) cartilage is replaced by bone. Endochondral ossification is the process of bone formation that uses cartilage as a bone template during fetal development. The cartilage is not turned into bone but systematically replaced by bone to form the body skeleton.

Detailed explanation-4: -Endochondral ossification occurs at two distinct sites in the vertebrate long bone – the primary (diaphyseal) and the secondary (epiphyseal) sites of ossification. Bone development initiates at the primary site.