HealthAugust 9, 2026

mineralisation

min-uh-ruh-luh-ZAY-shun

Definition

The process by which minerals, such as calcium, are deposited in organic tissue, often causing it to become rigid or hardened.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'minera' (ore or mine) combined with the suffix '-ize' and the noun-forming '-ation.' It entered English in the 19th century to describe the scientific process of mineral formation.

In the news

In the article, the word refers to the hardening of spinal discs due to mineral deposits, which researchers aim to block to alleviate chronic back pain.

Osteoporosis Drugs Offer New Hope For Back Pain By Blocking Disc Mineralisation: Study

Read the full article ↗

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