Ossification refers to the process by which new bone is formed. This can occur through several mechanisms, including the fusion of individual skeletal elements (e.g., vertebrae), the growth of new bone tissue in response to injury or disease, and the conversion of cartilage into bone. The term "ossification" is often used interchangeably with "bone formation," but it specifically refers to the process by which new bone is created through the accumulation of calcium phosphate minerals within a soft tissue template.