Over the course of evolution, a skeletal system has developed that not only provides humans with the stability and mobility to walk upright. The skeletal system includes an enormous number of bones. This amounts to between 208 and 212 bony parts.
What are bones?
The Latin term for bones, which is common usage in medicine, is Os. This term is usually inflected and known in variations oste-, osteo- or simply ost-. The complete bone system of the human being is composed of different bones, which are subdivided as tubular bones or flat bones depending on their structure. In addition, there is a classification of bones based on their formation and shaping. The bones are characterized by exceptional hardness and, as it were, limited elasticity. This is due to the specific building structure of the bones. The hard segments of bones consist of a type of tissue formed by connective tissue and supporting cells.
Anatomy and structure
Although the bones look visually different, however, these are based on the whole on the same construction. For a cohesion of the entire bone substance and an additional consolidation provides a connective tissue skin, which is called periosteum. This layer covers the so-called bone cortex, which is extremely compact. Beneath this substantia compacta is the typical sponge-like structured “entablature” of the bone. Beneath the cancellous bone, a cavity appears in which the bone marrow is embedded. This soft and extremely perfused bone marrow contains many blood vessels. The bone marrow is surrounded by the endost. This complete area is known as the medullary cavity in bone. The bone marrow is converted to fatty marrow. Microscopic tissue imaging reveals osteoblasts, osteoclasts and osteocytes in bone. These cells establish bone tissue and are responsible for various tasks.
Functions and tasks
The bones represent a unit with the muscles, the ligaments and tendons as well as the articular connections and can only take over the mobility of the skeleton in this form. Technically correct, this function of the bones is summarized under the biomechanical processes. Under these conditions the bones serve likewise for the transmission of the forces. The special relief of the bones creates a certain statics, which gives the skeleton its stability and form. Surprisingly, the bones undergo morphological changes throughout life, which allow limited adaptability to current requirements. Under the skeleton of bones there are many vital organs, which are embedded in a protected way. The high concentration of mineral content in the bones is also a perfect precondition against any radiation exposure that may occur. In relation to the minerals, which are extremely densely stored in the bones, the tissue performs a storage function. Within these capabilities, the bones also serve to maintain the normal pH in the blood (buffering). Without the healthy bone marrow, blood cells could not be produced. The marrow in the bones is responsible for allowing different maturation stages of red blood cells to be formed. These are flushed out of the bones into the bloodstream at a certain stage of development.
Diseases
If diseases of the bones occur, then they can lead to severe health impairments in numerous courses. This is based on the fact that the bones have to fulfill partly vital functions. Individual known diseases of the bone can spread to the complete bone system and affect other organ systems. This applies, for example, to the so-called genetically determined mutations of the bone constitution as well as the increasing ossification of the connective and supporting tissue areas. Another disease of the bones, which is also hereditary, is called incurable malfunction in the metabolic system of the bones. In bone marrow edema, there is an accumulation of endogenous fluid in the bone marrow so that it is displaced. In addition to these rather complicated clinical pictures, the bones can suffer from more common abnormalities, which are almost common diseases in the form of osteoporosis.In addition, there are tumors with metastases in the bones and a reduction in bone mass as a result of kidney failure. Other diseases of the bones include vitreous bone disease and bone inflammation.
Typical and common diseases
- Osteoporosis
- Bone pain
- Bone fracture
- Paget’s disease
