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Related Concept Videos

Fractures: Bone Repair01:27

Fractures: Bone Repair

Treatment for a fracture is based on the type of break, the bone affected, and the patient's age.
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
Compact Bone01:27

Compact Bone

Most bones contain compact and spongy osseous tissue, but their distribution and concentration vary based on the bone's overall function.
Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is the denser, stronger of the two types of bone tissue. It is found under the periosteum and in the diaphyses of long bones, where it provides support and protection. The microscopic structural unit of compact bone is called an osteon, or haversian system. Each osteon is composed of concentric rings of calcified...
The Bone Matrix01:18

The Bone Matrix

Bone contains a relatively small number of cells entrenched in a matrix of collagen fibers that provide an adherent surface for inorganic salt crystals. Both components of the matrix, organic and inorganic, contribute to the unusual properties of bone. Without collagen, bones would be brittle and shatter easily. Without mineral crystals, bones would flex and provide little support. This can be observed by an experiment: when the minerals of a bone are dissolved by soaking the bone in acid or...
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.
Spongy Bone01:09

Spongy Bone

All bones comprise an outer layer of compact bone, and an interior made up of spongy bone tissue, also called cancellous or trabecular bone. In long bones, spongy bone tissue is mainly found in the interior of the epiphyses (broad ends of the bone).
Spongy bone is more porous, and less dense compared to compact bone. It is composed of concentric lamellae that are arranged irregularly to form the trabecular network. In some bones, the spaces between trabeculae contain red marrow, where...
Bone as Supporting Connective Tissue01:23

Bone as Supporting Connective Tissue

Bone tissue forms the internal skeleton of vertebrate animals, providing structure to the body.
Bone Matrix
Bone, or osseous tissue, is a connective tissue that has a large amount of two different types of matrix material. The organic matrix is similar to the matrix material found in other connective tissues, including some amount of collagen and elastic fibers. This gives strength and flexibility to the tissue. The inorganic matrix consists of mineral salts— mostly calcium salts— that give the...

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Imaging of the Microstructural Failure Mechanism in the Human Hip
08:43

Imaging of the Microstructural Failure Mechanism in the Human Hip

Published on: September 29, 2023

How does human bone resist fracture?

Robert O Ritchie1

  • 1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Roritchie@lbl.gov

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|April 16, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bone fracture is a major health concern. This review explores how bone

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Last Updated: Jun 13, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Orthopedics
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Bone fracture is a significant health issue, particularly in the elderly population.
  • Current treatments primarily focus on increasing bone mineral density (bone quantity).
  • Age-related degradation of bone's inherent properties (bone quality) is increasingly recognized as critical.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the structure and properties of bone related to strength and fracture resistance.
  • To examine the multidimensional hierarchical nature of bone structure.
  • To understand age-related changes in bone quality.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature on bone structure, properties, and fracture mechanisms.
  • Analysis of hierarchical structures from nanoscale to macroscopic levels.
  • Examination of deformation and toughening mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Bone's fracture resistance stems from numerous deformation and toughening mechanisms.
  • These mechanisms operate across multiple size scales, from molecular to physiological.
  • Bone quality, not just quantity, is crucial for fracture resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding bone's hierarchical structure is key to addressing fracture risk.
  • A comprehensive approach considering both bone quantity and quality is needed for effective therapies.
  • Targeting nanoscale and microscale mechanisms may enhance bone's fracture resistance.