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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...
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...
The Effect of Aging on Tissues01:19

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
Bone Remodeling and Repair01:31

Bone Remodeling and Repair

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...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Analysis and Imaging of Osteocytes
10:19

Analysis and Imaging of Osteocytes

Published on: November 29, 2024

Decrease in the osteocyte lacunar density accompanied by hypermineralized lacunar occlusion reveals failure and delay

Björn Busse1, Danijela Djonic, Petar Milovanovic

  • 1Department of Osteology & Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Lottestr. 59, D-22529 Hamburg, Germany. b.busse@uke.uni-hamburg.de

Aging Cell
|September 30, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Aging impairs bone strength by reducing osteocyte lacunar density and increasing hypermineralization. This age-related bone loss in the femur increases fracture risk and hinders healing.

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A Sectioning, Coring, and Image Processing Guide for High-Throughput Cortical Bone Sample Procurement and Analysis for Synchrotron Micro-CT
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A Sectioning, Coring, and Image Processing Guide for High-Throughput Cortical Bone Sample Procurement and Analysis for Synchrotron Micro-CT

Published on: June 12, 2020

Trabecular Bone Microarchitecture Evaluation in an Osteoporosis Mouse Model
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Trabecular Bone Microarchitecture Evaluation in an Osteoporosis Mouse Model

Published on: September 8, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Analysis and Imaging of Osteocytes
10:19

Analysis and Imaging of Osteocytes

Published on: November 29, 2024

A Sectioning, Coring, and Image Processing Guide for High-Throughput Cortical Bone Sample Procurement and Analysis for Synchrotron Micro-CT
07:10

A Sectioning, Coring, and Image Processing Guide for High-Throughput Cortical Bone Sample Procurement and Analysis for Synchrotron Micro-CT

Published on: June 12, 2020

Trabecular Bone Microarchitecture Evaluation in an Osteoporosis Mouse Model
06:59

Trabecular Bone Microarchitecture Evaluation in an Osteoporosis Mouse Model

Published on: September 8, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Bone biology
  • Gerontology
  • Biomaterials science

Background:

  • Aging significantly compromises bone mechanical properties, including fatigue resistance and load-bearing capacity.
  • Alterations in osteocyte distribution and elemental composition are implicated in age-related bone degradation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate age- and sex-related changes in osteocyte lacunar distribution and mineral composition within the human femoral cortex.
  • To determine the relationship between these microstructural changes and age-related bone impairment.

Main Methods:

  • Histomorphometric assessment of osteocyte lacunar distribution in periosteal and endosteal regions of the human femur.
  • Quantitative backscattered electron imaging and energy dispersive X-ray analysis for bone mineral density and elemental composition.
  • Analysis of 16 female and 16 male donors across different age groups.

Main Results:

  • A significant age-dependent decrease in total osteocyte lacunar number was observed in both sexes.
  • The endosteal cortex showed a more pronounced reduction in osteocyte lacunae compared to the periosteal cortex.
  • Osteocyte lacunae in aged bone exhibited increased hypermineralization, specifically calcium phosphate occlusions.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced osteocyte lacunar density and intralacunar hypermineralization contribute to age-related bone fragility and increased fracture risk.
  • Hypermineralized osteocyte lacunae may increase bone brittleness, while decreased density impairs fluid flow and microdamage detection.
  • These microstructural changes in aging bone may lead to delayed bone repair and compromised structural integrity.