BONE COMPOSITION

Comprises mainly of TYPE I COLLAGEN which is laid down by bone-forming cells

(osteoblast) in organized parallel sheets (lamellae) and the collagen chains crossed link thus
gives bones its tensile strength. It also contains other collagens and non-collagenous proteins and
glycoprotein. Some are bone specific such as osteocalcin whereas other such as osteopontin,
fibronectin and various peptide growth factors aren’t.

BONE FORMATION

During bone formation, osteoblast lay down uncalcified bone matrix (osteoid) and small
amounts of other proteins, which are adsorbed from extracellular fluid. At about 10 days, the
matrix becomes mineralized, as hydroxyapatite crystals are deposited in the spaces between
collagen fibrils. Mineralizaion confers upon bone the property of mechanical rigidity, which
complements the tensile strength and elasticity derived from bone collagen.

Bone is formed through the process of osteogenesis early during embryonic life and is
modeled thereafter as the skeleton grows until early adulthood, when peak bone mass is attained.

OSTEOGENIS – 2 TYPES

1. INTRAMEMBRANOUS OSSIFICATION

Accumulated mesodermal dells differentiate into osteoblast at primary

ossification centers. Osteoblasts synthesize bone matrix, which subsequently calcifies to
form bone. Some osteoblast buries in lacunae within this tissue and these differentiate
into osteocytes. Then is invaded by blood vessels and hemopoietic cells to form the bone
marrow cavity. Examples are flat bones such as skull, clavicle and mandible.

2. ENDOCHONDRAL OSSIFICATION

Initially, condensation of mesodermal cells to form a cartilaginous model (anlage)

of the developing bone. The anlage undergoes vascular invasion, allowing hemapoietic
cells access to form a marrow space in the developing bone. The cartilage becomes
calcified in centers of ossification, but the calcified cartilage is then removed by
osteoclast that form from hemopoietic precursor in the bone marrow. Mesenchymal cells
present within the invading vascular tissue differentiate to form osteoblast and these
begin to form new bone to replace the calcified cartilage. Examples are long bones such
as femur, tibia and humerus.

Primary ossification – middle of the diaphysis (pre-natally)

Secondary ossification – metaphysic (at different times after birth)

BONE GROWTH

Skeletal growth occurs as the result of endochondral bone formation with subsequent
formation with newly formed bone during childhood and adolescence. This result in longitudinal
bone growth, change in bone shape and an increase in cross sectional area. This continues till
fusion of epiphysis – mediated by increase in circulating levels of sex hormones at the end of
puberty.

BONE REMODELLING

Bone is continually being deposited by osteoblasts, and it is continually being absorbed

where osteoclasts are active.
 Osteoblast works as mentioned above.

Osteoclast on the other hand sends out villus-like projections toward the bone, forming a
ruffled border adjacent to the bone. The villi secrete two types of substances: (1) proteolytic
enzymes, released from the lysosomes of the osteoclasts, and (2) several acids, including citric
acid and lactic acid. The enzymes digest or dissolve the organic matrix of the bone, and the acids
cause dissolution of the bone salts.

Continues remodeling strengthens the skeletal system more.

UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES:

1. “ MECHANICAL STRESS”

Bone is deposited in proportion to the load that the bone must carry. For instance, the bones of
athletes become considerably heavier than those of non-athletes. Also, if a person has one leg in
a cast but continues to walk on the opposite leg, the bone of the leg in the cast becomes thin and
decalcified within a few weeks, whereas the opposite bone remains thick and normally calcified.
Therefore, continual physical stress stimulates osteoblastic deposition and calcification of bone.

2. FRACTURE

Fracture of a bone in some way maximally activates all the osteoblasts involved in the break.
Also, immense numbers of new osteoblasts are formed almost immediately from osteoprogenitor
cells, which are bone stem cells in the surface tissue lining bone, called the “bone membrane.”
Therefore, within a short time, a large bulge of osteoblastic tissue and new organic bone matrix,
followed shortly by the deposition of calcium salts, develops between the two broken ends of the
bone. This is called a callus. Thus if it breaks, adding mechanical stress causes increased
deposition of bone. After some time of increased deposition the bone will be healed again such
as why orthopedic surgeons uses special mechanical fixation.

REFERENCES:

Textbook of Orthopedics, Trauma and Rheumatology, 2nd edition

Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, 12th edition

By:

Cua, Ricmar M.