When a bone is fractured, a callus forms as the fracture heals. This tissue ossifies over time and provides full restoration of function and stability. However, under certain conditions, fracture healing may be pathologic and may involve various complications. What is the callus? The term callus is derived from the Latin word callus (“callus,” “thick … Callus: Structure, Function & Diseases
Fibroblasts are anabolic cells. They produce all the fibers and molecular components of connective tissue, giving it its structure and strength. What are fibroblasts? Fibroblasts are connective tissue cells in the strict sense. They are motile and divisible and produce all the important components of intercellular substance. This is the basic structure in tissue into … Fibroblasts: Structure, Function & Diseases
Fibrocytes are part of the connective tissue. They are normally in a resting state and have irregular projections that join with the projections of other fibrocytes to give connective tissue three-dimensional strength. When needed, such as after mechanical injury, fibrocytes can “awaken” from their dormancy and revert to fibroblasts by dividing to synthesize components of … Fibrocyte: Structure, Function & Diseases
Chemokines are small signaling proteins that trigger chemotaxis (migratory movement) of cells. In most cases, these cells are immune cells. Thus, chemokines are responsible for the effective functioning of the immune system. What are chemokines? Chemokines are small proteins that belong to the cytokine family. They cause cells to migrate. Mainly, these are immune cells … Chemokines: Structure, Function & Diseases
Interferons are tissue hormones composed of relatively short-chain polypeptides, proteins, or glycoproteins. Together with interleukins and other groups of substances, they belong to the cytokines that initiate and control the immune responses of the immune system. Interferons are produced mainly by cells of the immune system, but also by fibroblasts, and primarily control antiviral and … Interferons: Function & Diseases
Osteonectin is a protein that plays a significant role in bone mineralization and in this way is involved in the strengthening of bones and teeth. Numerous scientific studies can be found under its synonymous name SPARC, which additionally indicate a link between the release of SPARC and the prognosis of various cancers. What is osteonectin? … Osteonectin: Function & Diseases
Osteophyte refers to a bone growth. This new bone formation is mostly caused by wear-related joint diseases. What is an osteophyte? An osteophyte is a bony outgrowth covered by smooth fibrocartilage. In most cases, it forms in degenerative bone changes at the edge of joint surfaces. The purpose of this new bone growth is the … Osteophyte: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Chondroblasts are precursor cells of chondrocytes and form the extracellular matrix of cartilage tissue. During the process, they find themselves isolated from their neighboring cells in a lacuna and at that moment become the cartilage cells chondrocytes. The best known disease related to cartilage tissue is degenerative osteoarthritis. What is a chondroblast? In Greek, “chondros” … Chondroblast: Structure, Function & Diseases
Mucopolysaccharidosis is a collective term for lysosomal storage diseases based on the storage of glycosaminoglycans. All diseases develop similar symptoms and courses. The severity of the syndromes varies widely. What is mucopolysaccharidosis? There is no such thing as mucopolysaccharidosis as a single disease. The term mucopolysaccharidosis represents a collective term for a variety of storage … Mucopolysaccharidosis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
The umbilical cord connects mother and child during pregnancy in the womb. The fetus is connected to the mother’s bloodstream via the placenta. It loses its importance after birth. What is an umbilical cord? The umbilical cord is a tube of tissue that provides a connection between the mother’s placenta and the baby’s abdomen. Its … Umbilical Cord: Structure, Function & Diseases
During the epithelialization phase of wound healing, mitosis takes place, closing the resulting tissue defect with new epithelial cells and initiating the subsequent phase of scar formation. The epithelization phase follows the granulation phase and hardens the granulation tissue formed up to that point. Excessive processes of epithelialization can cause wound healing disorders to occur … Epithelialization Phase: Function, Tasks, Role & Diseases
Dorfman-Chanarin syndrome is a genetic metabolic disorder that affects the storage of triglycerides. This syndrome belongs to the so-called storage disorders. Because of its genetic basis, causal treatment of the disease is not possible. What is Dorfman-Chanarin syndrome? Dorfman-Chanarin syndrome is an extremely rare storage disorder with abnormal storage of triglycerides (neutral fats) in various … Dorfman-Chanarin Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
