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Related Concept Videos

Bone Disorders01:29

Bone Disorders

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
What is the Skeletal System?01:02

What is the Skeletal System?

Overview
Bone Remodeling01:40

Bone Remodeling

Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling01:31

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling

Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during bone...
Essential Minerals for Bone Health01:31

Essential Minerals for Bone Health

The minerals contained in all of the food we consume are essential for our organ systems. However, certain essential minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and fluoride, largely affect bone health.
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health01:25

Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health

The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Analysis of Minerals Produced by hFOB 1.19 and Saos-2 Cells Using Transmission Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis
14:55

Analysis of Minerals Produced by hFOB 1.19 and Saos-2 Cells Using Transmission Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis

Published on: June 24, 2018

Osteomalacia.

Michael Maricic1

  • 1Catalina Pointe Rheumatology and Arthritis Specialists, PC, 5501 North Oracle Road, Suite 161, Tucson, AZ 85704, USA. mikemaricic@msn.com

Current Osteoporosis Reports
|November 27, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Osteoporosis diagnosis based on low bone density may overlook osteomalacia in postmenopausal women. Identifying secondary causes like osteomalacia is crucial for accurate patient management and treatment.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Analysis of Minerals Produced by hFOB 1.19 and Saos-2 Cells Using Transmission Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis
14:55

Analysis of Minerals Produced by hFOB 1.19 and Saos-2 Cells Using Transmission Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis

Published on: June 24, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Bone Metabolism
  • Geriatric Medicine

Background:

  • Low bone mineral density (T-score ≤ -2.5) is typically classified as osteoporosis.
  • Postmenopausal osteoporosis is often attributed to estrogen deficiency.
  • However, secondary causes, including osteomalacia, account for up to one-third of cases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the importance of considering osteomalacia in postmenopausal women with low bone density.
  • To differentiate osteomalacia from primary osteoporosis due to estrogen deficiency.

Main Methods:

  • Review of diagnostic criteria for osteoporosis and osteomalacia.
  • Analysis of clinical clues (history, physical exam, labs, radiographs) for osteomalacia.
  • Discussion of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification.

Main Results:

  • Osteomalacia, a mineralization defect, can mimic or coexist with osteoporosis.
  • Clinical and laboratory findings can suggest osteomalacia.

Conclusions:

  • Diagnosis of osteoporosis should not solely rely on bone mineral density T-scores.
  • Identifying and treating secondary causes like osteomalacia is critical for effective patient management.
  • Distinguishing osteomalacia from estrogen-deficiency osteoporosis ensures appropriate therapeutic strategies.