INBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination) Practice Exam

Where does intramembraneous bone formation occur?

1. in the heart

2. in the cranial vault, maxilla, and mandible

3. in the limbs

4. in the spine

The correct answer is: in the cranial vault, maxilla, and mandible

Intramembraneous bone formation is a type of bone formation that occurs within a membrane rather than within cartilage. This process is responsible for the development of flat bones such as those in the cranial vault, maxilla, and mandible, which are important for protection and support of the brain and facial structures. Therefore, options A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not involve flat bones. In the heart, bones are not formed, but rather cardiac muscle tissue. In the limbs, long bones are formed through endochondral ossification, where cartilage is replaced by bone tissue. In the spine, bones are formed through a combination of endochondral and intramembraneous ossification, but this process mainly occurs in the vertebrae rather than throughout the entire spine.