Final answer:
The process of bone growth in width is known as appositional growth, which occurs when osteoblasts secrete new bone matrix at the surface of bones, and osteoclasts resorb inner bone tissue, allowing for the increase in bone diameter.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of bone growth in width is called appositional growth. It is the increase in the diameter of bones by the addition of bone tissue at the surface of bones. Osteoblasts, which are crucial for this growth, secrete new bone matrix at the periosteum, while osteoclasts resorb bone tissue from the inner bone surface. This carefully coordinated process allows long bones in the body to thicken as they grow.
The remodeling of bone which involves both deposition by osteoblasts and resorption by osteoclasts is an ongoing process that allows bones to adapt to stress, repair minor damage and regulate mineral homeostasis. This remodeling also contributes to the overall appositional growth of bones.
In contrast, interstitial growth refers to the lengthening of bones, which occurs at the epiphyseal plates and involves endochondral ossification - the replacement of cartilage with bone. This type of growth is generally complete once an individual reaches adulthood. After this period, only appositional growth continues, allowing the bones to increase in width and potentially modify structure based on stressors.