BONES

Bones
Bones are rigid organs that form part of the skeleton. Bone is a connective tissue. Other examples of tissue are muscle, nerves, skin, etc. To have strong bones when we are young and also to prevent bone loss when we become old, we need to take enough calcium, vitamin D(sunlight) in our daily diet(fruits and vegetables) and exercise regularily.

 Our bones help us to move, gives shape and support our body. During childhood and teenage, our body adds new bone faster than it removes old bone. After about 20 years of age, we lose bone faster than we make.

Classification (Types) of Bones

Long bones longer than wide humerus (arm bone) Short bones roughly cube-shaped - wrist and ankle Flat bones thin and flat skull, sternum (breast bone) Irregular bones vertebrae (spinal cord) Sesamoid bones patella (knee cap)

Classification of Bones

Gross Anatomy of Bones

Compact bone outer layer of bone Spongy bone internal network of bone Development: Begins forming late in 2nd month of human development Continues forming until early adulthood

Structure of a Typical Long Bone

Diaphysis shaft (middle part) of a bone Composed of compact bone Filled with yellow bone marrow

Epiphysis ends of a bone Outer covering of compact bone Spongy bone inside
Blood vessels well vascularized

Chemical Composition of Bone

35% organic components
Composed of cells, fibers, and organic substances like collagen (main protein in connective tissue).

65% inorganic mineral salts

Primarily calcium and phosphate.

Functions
Support provides hard framework Protection of underlying organs Giving attachment to muscles. Movement muscles use bones as moving levers Mineral storage reservoir for important minerals Haemopoiesis - blood-cell formation bone contains red bone marrow.

BONE DISEASES
These are a group of diseases that affect the normal structure of a bone. There are many kinds of bone problems, some of them are:
1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) Osteoporosis most prominent Bone fracture Osteomyelitis Osteosarcoma Osteogenesis imperfecta Osteochondritis Dissecans Bone Metastases

Lets see a brief description and understand each disease

Osteoporosis:
Osteoporosis is a disease of bone where the bones become brittle and soft leading to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis, the bone mineral density (BMD) is reduced and the bone micro architecture is disrupted. Osteoporosis is most common in women after the menopause, when it is called postmenopausal osteoporosis It can develop in males and pre menopausal females as a result of smoking and medications (steroids).

Bone Fracture
It is a very common medical condition in which there is a break in the continuity of the bone. A bone fracture can be the result of forceful blow or any fall (RTA) called acquired fracture or as a result of certain medical conditions such as osteoporosis, bone cancer termed as pathological fracture Main symptoms are pain which is continuous, swelling and muscle spasm.

Osteomyelitis
It is the infection of the bone or bone marrow. Osteo - bone and Myelitis infection. It is caused by bacterial infection mainly pyogenic bacteria affecting the bone and bone marrow. In children, the long bones are usually affected. In adults, the vertebrae and the pelvis are most commonly affected. Spread- Infection can be spread through bloodstream, penetrating trauma (surgery) where the pus enters the blood and leads to pain, tenderness and sensory disturbances.

Osteosarcoma
It is the second most common primary malignancy (tumour) of bone behind multiple myeloma (cancer of white blood cells). It is a malignant connective (soft) tissue tumour, common in children below 15 years of age. 50% of cases occur around the knee. It mainly affects the metaphyseal region of a long bone Symptoms include pain (nocturnal), localized swelling and affected bones become weak.

Osteosarcoma - Shoulder

Osteosarcoma - Leg

Osteogenesis Imperfecta
OI and sometimes known as Brittle Bone Disease is a genetic bone disorder. People with OI are born with defective connective tissue usually because of a deficiency of collagen. As a genetic disorder, OI is an autosomal dominant (genetic) defect. Most people with OI receive it from their parents. Depending on the severity, OI is of 8 types type 1 (most common) to type 8. Type-1 symptoms include loose joints, weak bones, decreased muscle strength, loss of hearing, protrusion of eyes and bluish gray sclera.

Osteochondritis Dissecans
It is a joint disorder in which cracks form in the articular cartilage (connective tissue at joint suface) and the underlying bone. OCD is a complication of avascular necrosis occurring in bone. Avascular necrosis deprives the bone of blood, and without blood the bone dies. As subchondral (lining below cartilage) bone is lost the articular cartilage above it becomes separated from the bone and prone to damage. The result is loss of both cartilage and bone causing pain during movement and further damage. It is a rare disease, yet is a important cause of joint pains. Common symptoms include joint pains, swelling, tenderness, crepitus (abnormal join sounds heard during movement) and haemarthrosis (joint bleeding).

Bone Metastasis/Tumours
It is also called cancer metastases. Metastases means spread of disease and/or cancer cells from one part (primary) to another (secondary). It involves pain, bone fractures in vertebrae result in spinal cord compression and affects the quality of life of the patient. It is of 2 types: Osteoblastic tumour abnormal formation of bone. Osteolytic tumour abnormal loss of bone

Cut section of bone showing cancerous cells

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