[X-ray of osteopathies (author's transl)]

Osteoporosis, osteomalacia, fibro-osteoclasia and osteosclerosis are essential reactions to pathologico-metabolic processes of the bone. The x-ray film shows precisely which changes have taken place in the bone structure, thus supplying the means for an analysis based on anatomic pathology. These phenomena are discussed in detail, special attention being paid to structural modifications. Attention is also focused on the problems connected with x-ray technology. The value of direct and indirect magnification of the skeleton of the hand for the identification and classification of osteopathies is explained. Phenomena observed in x-ray films, such as enosteal erosion, intracortical longitudinal stripes or tunnelisation, as well as subperiostal absorption, can be of pathognomonic importance for certain osteopathies.