Bone Development and Remodelling Flashcards
What are the functions of bone?
- Skeletal support.
- Muscle attachment.
- Houses haematopoiesis (in bone marrow).
- Reservoir for calcium and phosphate.
- Involved in homeostasis.
What are the developmental origins of bone?
Cranial neural crest - gives rise to osteoblasts that make the craniofacial skeleton.
Mesoderm - gives rise to the axial skeleton.
What are osteoblasts?
Cells that make bone.
What are osteoclasts?
Cells that resorb bone.
What are chondrocytes?
Cells that produce cartilage matrix.
What is the master gene for osteoblasts?
Runx2
What happens if there is a mutation in the Runx2 gene?
Bone deformities.
Where are osteoclasts derived from?
Haematopoietic stem cells.
What factors are required to make osteoclasts?
Haematopoietic stem cells respond to Colony Stimulating Factors (CSF):
E.g. M-CSF and RANKL
When does ossification begin?
6 weeks IU
What are the 2 types of ossification?
- Intramembranous
- Endochondral
Define ossification
Bone formation
What is the difference between Intramembranous and Endochondral ossification?
- Intramembranous = bone formed directly from precursors. E.g. flat bones of skull, calvaria, clavicle.
- Endochondral = bone formed via a cartilagenous intermediate. E.g. long bones, vertebrae (all bones except flat bones of skull, mandible and clavicle).
Describe how Intramembranous ossification occurs
- Bone formed from fibrous membranes (condensation).
- Direct formation of osteoblast precursors results in formation of periosteum.
- Differentiation to osteoblasts occurs at ossification centre.
- Osteoblasts secrete extracellulate matrix and deposits calcium - this mineralises and hardens the matrix.
- Non-mineralised part of bone (osteoid) continues to form around blood vessels, forming spongey bone (vascularisation).
- Connective tissue in matrix differentiates into red bone marrow.
- Spongey bone is remodelled into thin layer of compact bone on surface.
Describe how Endochondral ossification occurs
- Chondrocytes form cartilage model (perichondrium).
- Cartilage mineralises to form bony collar (periosteum - connective tissue).
- Capillaries and osteoclasts invade the cavities to create marrow (primary ossification centre).
- Bone continues to grow and elongate as cartilage cells at epiphyses divide.
- Centres of epiphyses calcify (forms secondary ossification centre).
What is the epiphyseal growth plate?
Cartilage plate at end of long bones.