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Bone Disorders

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 Remodeling

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 Remodeling

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...

What is the Skeletal System?

What is the Skeletal System?

Hormones and Bone Tissue

Hormones and Bone Tissue

The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Calcium is not only the most abundant mineral in bone but also the most abundant mineral in the human body. Calcium ions are needed for bone mineralization, tooth health, heart rate regulation and strength of contraction, blood coagulation, the contraction of smooth and skeletal muscle cells, and the regulation of nerve impulse conduction. The average calcium level in the blood is about 10 mg/dL. When the body cannot maintain this level, a person will experience hypo or hypercalcemia.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Author Spotlight: An Economic and Efficient Method for Quantitative Evaluation of Bone Microarchitecture in a Murine Osteoporosis Model

Author Spotlight: An Economic and Efficient Method for Quantitative Evaluation of Bone Microarchitecture in a Murine Osteoporosis Model

Published on: September 8, 2023

Secondary osteoporosis.

Angela Sheu¹, Terry Diamond¹

¹University of New South Wales, Sydney.

Australian Prescriber

|June 28, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Secondary osteoporosis, often overlooked, can cause fragility fractures even without typical risk factors. Early identification through bone density testing and targeted investigations is crucial for managing this condition.

Keywords:

Z-score biopsy of bone bone density fracture of bone osteoporosis

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Semiautomated Longitudinal Microcomputed Tomography-based Quantitative Structural Analysis of a Nude Rat Osteoporosis-related Vertebral Fracture Model

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Published on: September 28, 2017

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Last Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Author Spotlight: An Economic and Efficient Method for Quantitative Evaluation of Bone Microarchitecture in a Murine Osteoporosis Model

Author Spotlight: An Economic and Efficient Method for Quantitative Evaluation of Bone Microarchitecture in a Murine Osteoporosis Model

Published on: September 8, 2023

Semiautomated Longitudinal Microcomputed Tomography-based Quantitative Structural Analysis of a Nude Rat Osteoporosis-related Vertebral Fracture Model

Semiautomated Longitudinal Microcomputed Tomography-based Quantitative Structural Analysis of a Nude Rat Osteoporosis-related Vertebral Fracture Model

Published on: September 28, 2017

Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Bone Metabolism
Geriatrics

Background:

Secondary osteoporosis is less prevalent than primary osteoporosis.
It may manifest as fragility fractures in individuals lacking traditional osteoporosis risk factors.
Consideration is warranted when bone density Z-scores are -2.5 or lower.

Purpose of the Study:

To outline the diagnostic considerations for secondary osteoporosis.
To guide investigations for underlying causes of osteoporosis.
To emphasize the importance of baseline and advanced testing.

Main Methods:

Clinical assessment focusing on fracture site and associated clues.
Bone mineral metabolism testing (calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone).
Assessment of liver and kidney function, complete blood count, and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels.

Main Results:

Secondary osteoporosis suspicion arises from fragility fractures without risk factors or Z-scores ≤ -2.5.
Investigations should be tailored to suspected underlying causes.
Baseline tests cover bone/mineral metabolism, organ function, and thyroid status.

Conclusions:

Prompt recognition of secondary osteoporosis is vital for appropriate management.
A systematic approach to investigation, guided by clinical presentation, is recommended.
Further testing may be necessary for patients with severe osteoporosis.