Bone structure and function
Abstract
Bone is a complex, living, constantly changing tissue. The architecture and composition of cancellous and cortical bone allow the skeleton to perform its essential mechanical functions. The stiffer cortical bone responds more slowly to changes in loads while cancellous bone has a much larger surface area per unit volume and a greater rate of metabolic activity. Periosteum covers the external surface of bone and consists of two layers: an outer fibrous layer and an inner more cellular and vascular layer. The inner osteogenic layer or cambium layer can form new bone while the outer layer forms part of the insertions of tendons, ligaments and muscles. The cortical bone of diaphyses and metaphyses has a dual blood supply that allows loss of one source of circulation without adversely affecting the viability of the tissue. Many epiphyses, even in adults, depend only on a single source of blood supply, the penetrating epiphyseal vessels. For this reason epiphyseal bone may infarct more easily than metaphyseal or diaphyseal bone. The bone matrix has an organic component, primarily type I collagen, which gives it tensile strength and an inorganic component, primarily hydroxyapatite, which gives it stiffness to compression. Specialized populations of bone cells form, maintain and remodel this matrix. We recognize four types of bone cells based on their locations, morphology and functions: osteoprogenitor cells, osteoblasts, osteocytes and osteoclasts. Osteoblasts develop from…
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