Main Difference
The main difference between Intramembranous Ossification and Endochondral Ossification is that the Intramembranous Ossification is a Direct ossification that occurs within mesenchyme or an accumulation of relatively unspecialized cells and Endochondral Ossification is a Replacement ossification wherein bone tissue replaces cartilage
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Intramembranous Ossification
Intramembranous ossification is one of the two essential processes during fetal development of the gnathostome (excluding chondrichthyans such as sharks) skeletal system by which rudimentary bone tissue is created.
Intramembranous ossification is also an essential process during the natural healing of bone fractures and the rudimentary formation of bones of the head.
Unlike endochondral ossification, which is the other process by which bone tissue is created during fetal development, cartilage is not present during intramembranous ossification.
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Endochondral Ossification
Endochondral ossification is one of the two essential processes during fetal development of the mammalian skeletal system by which bone tissue is created. Unlike intramembranous ossification, which is the other process by which bone tissue is created, cartilage is present during endochondral ossification. Endochondral ossification is also an essential process during the rudimentary formation of long bones, the growth of the length of long bones, and the natural healing of bone fractures.