Physiology of Bone

CITRA ROSYIDAH

Bone Physiology

www.ama-assn.org

Features of a Long Bone:

Epiphysis: Ends of the

bone.
Diaphysis: The shaft of the
bone which surrounds the
medullary cavity.
Articular Cartilage:
Cushions the ends of the
bones and allows for smooth
movement.
Epiphyseal Plate:
Areas made of cartilage
allowing for the growth of
the bone.

Bone cells
As

for all connective tissue,

bone consists of cells and
extracellular matrix.
There are three types of cells
in mature bone tissue:
Osteoblasts
Osteocytes
Osteoclasts

Function
Osteoblasts

and osteocytes
are involved in deposition of
bone matrix
Osteoblasts are located at
the surface of bone tissue,
whereas osteoclasts are located
within the calcified matrix
Osteoclasts are involved in the
resorption of bone tissue.

An osteoclast cell
attached to the bone
surface. Where it is
in contact with the
bone it forms a
ruffled zone under
which resorption
takes place.

Microstructure of bone tissue

Like

other connective tissues,

bone is a matrix containing
cells as opposed to a structure
made of cells
The matrix is made of
hydroxyapatite which is
predominately tricalcium
phosphate
Ca3 (PO4)2

Functions of bone and

the skeletal system
Bone tissue and the skeletal
system perform several functions:
Support
Protection
Movement
Mineral homeostasis
Blood cell production
Triglyceride storage

Support
The skeleton is a
structural framework for
the body supporting soft
tissues and provides
attachment points for
the tendons of most
skeletal muscles

Protection
The skeleton protects
many internal organs
from injury. For
example, the skull
(cranial bones)
protects the brain and
the vertebrae protect
the spinal cord.

Movement
As skeletal muscles
attach to bones, when
muscles contract they
pull on bones. Thus,
muscles and bones can
produce movement

Mineral
Bone tissue stores
homeostasis

important minerals,
especially calcium and
phosphorus. Bone
releases these minerals
(on demand) to different
parts of the body to
maintain homeostasis

Blood cell
production
In some bones, red

bone marrow (a
connective tissue)
produces erythrocytes,
leucocytes and
platelets, via a process
called haemopoiesis.

Triglyceride
Triglycerides stored in the adipose
storage
cells of yellow bone marrow form an

important energy reserve

Yellow bone marrow consists mostly
of adipose cells, which store
triglycerides
In the newborn, all bone marrow is
red and is involved in haemopoiesis
As we age, much of the bone
marrow changes from red to yellow

Regulation
Growth

hormone (GH): stimulates the liver

to produce insulin-like growth factor 1
(IGF-1), and then IGF-1 promotes cartilage
and bone growth
Calcitonin inhibits bone resorption.

Regulation
Parathyroid

hormone and 1,25dihydroxyvitamin D3 stimulate bone

resorption.
Estrogen that produced within
epiphyseal disc is needed for the
disc to seal. Also, estrogen is
used for prevention of
osteoporosis.