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Questions and Answers
What is the primary effect of increased physical stress on bone according to Wolff's Law?
What is the primary effect of increased physical stress on bone according to Wolff's Law?
What happens to bone when there is decreased physical stress according to Wolff's Law?
What happens to bone when there is decreased physical stress according to Wolff's Law?
What is described as a result of pressure placed upon a tissue?
What is described as a result of pressure placed upon a tissue?
How does excessive stress affect calcium deposition in bones?
How does excessive stress affect calcium deposition in bones?
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What role does the piezo-electric effect play in bone health?
What role does the piezo-electric effect play in bone health?
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What component is laid down in bone in response to stress?
What component is laid down in bone in response to stress?
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Study Notes
Wolff's Law
- Wolff's Law describes how bone structure adapts to the forces acting on it.
- Increased physical stress on a bone leads to bone growth and increased bone density (gaining bony matrix).
- Decreased physical stress on a bone leads to bone loss and reduced density (losing bony matrix).
Bone Structure
- A long bone is composed of different parts:
- Epiphysis: Ends of the bone
- Diaphysis: Shaft of the bone
- Articular cartilage: Covers the epiphysis where the bone connects to another bone.
- Epiphyseal line: A remnant of the growth plate or epiphyseal plate.
- Spongy bone: Contains many small spaces, found within the epiphysis and in the interior of the diaphysis.
- Medullary cavity: A hollow region in the diaphysis, filled with yellow bone marrow.
- Nutrient foramina: Openings for blood vessels.
- Endosteum: A thin layer of connective tissue lining the medullary cavity.
- Periosteum: A tough fibrous membrane covering the outer surface of the bone.
Piezo-electric Effect
- Pressure on a tissue creates an electrical charge (piezo-electric effect).
- This slight electric charge in bone tissue stimulates osteoblasts (cells that build bone).
- Osteoclasts (cells that break down bone) are less active in places with a piezo-electric effect.
- This leads to growth and increased bone density.
Excessive Stress
- Excessive stress on bones placed at the joint surface results in calcium deposition.
- This increases bone density and strength in those areas.
- Calcium ions (Ca++) are deposited on the outer edges of the bone, making them denser.
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