Human Bone Structure and Functions

Bone Structure

• Made up of 4 main tissues:
  • Bone tissue (compact and cancellous)
  • Bone marrow
  • Periosteum (outermost layer)
  • Endosteum (innermost layer)

Bone Functions

• Support and protection for the body
• Movement and locomotion (via joints)
• Blood cell production (in bone marrow)
• Storage of minerals (calcium, phosphorus)
• Endocrine functions (regulation of calcium levels)

Types of Bones

• Long bones (e.g. femur, humerus)
• Short bones (e.g. carpals, tarsals)
• Flat bones (e.g. ribs, sternum)
• Irregular bones (e.g. vertebrae, pelvis)
• Sesamoid bones (e.g. patella)

Bone Development

• Ossification (bone formation): 2 types
  • Intramembranous ossification (e.g. skull)
  • Endochondral ossification (e.g. long bones)
• Bone growth and remodeling: continuous process throughout life

Bone Remodeling

• Process of resorption and formation
• Important for maintaining bone strength and health
• Involves osteoclasts (break down bone) and osteoblasts (build bone)

Bone Disorders

• Osteoporosis (loss of bone density)
• Osteopenia (low bone density)
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Bone cancer (e.g. osteosarcoma)
• Bone infections (e.g. osteomyelitis)

Bone Structure

• Composed of four main tissues: bone tissue, bone marrow, periosteum, and endosteum
• Bone tissue consists of compact and cancellous bone
• Periosteum is the outermost layer, while endosteum is the innermost layer

Bone Functions

• Provides support and protection for the body
• Enables movement and locomotion through joints
• Produces blood cells in the bone marrow
• Stores minerals such as calcium and phosphorus
• Regulates calcium levels through endocrine functions

Types of Bones

• Long bones include femur and humerus
• Short bones include carpals and tarsals
• Flat bones include ribs and sternum
• Irregular bones include vertebrae and pelvis
• Sesamoid bones include patella

Bone Development

• Ossification occurs through two types: intramembranous and endochondral ossification
• Intramembranous ossification forms bones like the skull
• Endochondral ossification forms long bones
• Bone growth and remodeling is a continuous process throughout life

Bone Remodeling

• Involves the process of resorption and formation
• Osteoclasts break down bone, while osteoblasts build bone
• Essential for maintaining bone strength and health

Bone Disorders

• Osteoporosis is the loss of bone density
• Osteopenia is characterized by low bone density
• Fractures occur when bones break
• Bone cancer includes osteosarcoma
• Bone infections include osteomyelitis