What term is used for calcium deposits in body tissues, such as tubercle or bone spur?

Calcification is the correct term used to describe the process of calcium deposits accumulating in body tissues. This process can happen in various locations, such as in response to inflammation, injury, or other pathological conditions. In the case of a tubercle, which may form as a response to an infection like tuberculosis, calcification can indicate that the body is attempting to wall off an infection or damaged tissue.

Similarly, bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, are bony projections that develop along the edges of bones, often in response to increased pressure or friction; these spurs are the result of calcification of the soft tissues around the bones. The presence of calcium in these tissues signifies that they are undergoing a transformation, where calcified deposits can lead to hardening and changes in function.

In contrast, mineralization refers more generally to the process of minerals being deposited in tissues, which can encompass various types of minerals and not be limited to calcium alone. Ossification specifically pertains to the formation of bone from cartilage or from connective tissue, primarily occurring during growth and development, rather than the pathological formation of calcium deposits. Hardening is a more vague term that doesn't specifically denote the process by which calcium is deposited in tissues.