Cells Flashcards
What type of tissue is bone?
Specialised form of supporting tissue
Describe the structure of supporting tissues
Cells embedded in an extracellular matrix (ECM)
ECM consists of fibres, ground substance & structural glycoproteins
ECM composition determines the tissues physical properties
What is specialised about bone ECM?
Mineralised with Ca - hydroxyapatite
What 2 layers line the inside and outside of bone?
Periosteum is outside layer
Endosteum is inner layer
What type of fibres provide resilience in bone?
Type 1 collagen
What are functions of bone?
Support Protection Movement Site of haematopoiesis Mineral homeostasis
Where is the physis (growth plate) in long bones?
Between epiphysis at end and metaphysis
What is cortical bone like? And where is it?
Compact and solid
Outer part of bone
What is trabecular bone like? And where is it?
Spongy or cancellous
Inner part of bone
Describe the structure of cortical bone
Cortical bone is composed of Haversian systems (osteons)
Osteon: concentric lamellae at 90 degrees to one another, bone laid down around central canal containing blood vessels
Periosteal blood vessel runs transversely across the bone in Volkmann’s canals to form the (Haversian) canals
Interstitial lamellae fill the space between osteons, result of bone remodelling and the formation of new Haversian systems
Extending around bone are outer circumferential lamellae
Describe the structure of trabecular bone
Beams and struts of lamellar bone oriented along lines of stress
Large surface area
Orderly layered arrangement of collagen fibres (lamellae) which makes it strong
What is woven bone and where will you find it?
Immature (woven) bone is found mainly in the foetus
Minimal in adults except fracture healing or sites of rapid bone remodelling
Produced quickly, but collagen fibres more haphazardly arranged and so is weaker than lamellar bone
Describe the clinical significance of the blood supply to the head of femur
Unidirectional flow and limited anastomoses, fractures may easily disrupt blood supply and lead to avascular necrosis
Medial circumflex artery is main supply which comes from neck of femur
Describe the blood supply of bones
Epiphyseal arteries supply epiphysis
Metaphyseal arteries supply metaphysis
Periosteal and nutrient arteries (volkman canals) supply diaphysis
What cell type are bone forming cells derived from?
Mesenchymal stem cell derived
What cell type are osteoclasts derived from?
Granulocyte / monocyte progenitor derived
Describe how bone forming cells go from stem cells to bone lining cells
Mesenchymal stem cells become osteoprogenitor cells
These become osteoblasts which release ECM to lay down new bone
Once embedded in the bone these become osteoclasts which maintain the ECM
What do osteoblasts do?
Bone formation - synthesise matrix (osteoid) & its subsequent mineralisation
Secrete type 1 collagen, proteoglycans & glycoproteins
Alkaline phosphatase & osteocalcin secreted to aid mineralisation of ECM
Surrounded by matrix to become osteocytes
Bone lining cells
What do osteocytes do?
Mature bone cell derived from osteoblast
Encased in bone matrix within lacunae interconnected by dendritic processes passing through canaliculi
No cell division
Roles in mechanotransduction and matrix maintenance / calcium
homeostasis
What do osteoclasts do?
Derived from monocyte-macrophage system
Multinucleated cells
Bone resorption - release enzymes & acid to resorb bone
Form resorption craters – Howship’s lacunae
Osteoclastic & osteoblastic activity linked in bone remodelling
Describe the bone remodelling cycle
Lining cells are quiescent
Mechanical stress or lack of causes change
Osteoclasts are recruited, differentiate and activated
Bone is resorbed
Osteoclasts apoptose and are removed
Reversal: osteoblasts are recruited, differentiate and activated
They synthesise matrix which is then mineralised
How many days are there per bone remodelling cycle?
Approx 160-200 days per cycle
What factors control bone resorption?
Osteoclast differentiation & activation controlled by RANK, which is activated by RANKL – produced by various cells, including osteoblasts OPG (osteoprotegerin) is a non-signalling decoy receptor for RANKL
Ratio of OPG to RANKL important in determining degree of resorption; system allows multilevel control
What effects do calcitriol, PTH and interleukins have on osteoblasts?
Signal osteoblasts to express RANKL which signals to osteoclast progenitor cells expressing RANK to differentiate and activate
At what time during development do bones begin to develop?
6th week of embryonic development
What signals initiate bone development?
Growth factors such as bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and cytokines
What are the 2 types of bone development? And give examples
Intramembranous: mesenchyme to bone eg flat bones of skull, clavicle & mandible
Endochondral: mesenchyme to cartilage to bone eg weight bearing bones - long bones, vertebrae, pelvis
Describe the process of intramembranous ossification
Ossification centre forms with osteoblasts in centre which secrete osteoid which is calcified
Woven bone formed and Mesenchyme condenses to form periosteum
Bone collar forms and red marrow appears in cavity
Describe the process of endochondral ossification
Mesenchyme forms chondroblasts which form the cartilage model
Chondrocytes in centre hypertrophy, ECM calcifies so cell death
Bone collar develops at diaphysis and perichondrium becomes periosteum
Blood vessels invade dead cartilage bringing in bone forming cells Osteoblasts develop and secrete osteoid which becomes mineralised in primary ossification centre of diaphysis
Gradual replacement of cartilage by woven bone, bony trabeculae develop in the diaphysis
Secondary ossification centres form in epiphysis
By what time in development is there a medullary cavity in bone?
6th month of development due to resorption of central bone
When do secondary ossification centres form?
Develop in the cartilage at epiphyses
At birth secondary centre in femur; others appear in cartilaginous epiphyses at varying ages after birth
Appearance of ossification centres on X-rays can be used to determine the bone age
What form of growth occurs at the epiphyseal growth plate?
Allows growth in length of a long bone - longitudinal
Appositional growth allows the bone to grow in width (bone formed beneath the periosteum)
What are the distinct zones of the epiphyseal growth plate?
Resting quiescent zone
Growth proliferation zone - cartilage cells undergo mitosis
Hypertrophic zone - older cartilage cells enlarge
Calcification zone - matrix becomes calcified, cartilage cells die
Ossification zone - new bone formation occurring
What is the clinical significance of the epiphyseal growth plate in terms of fractures?
Fractures that involve a growth plate may cause significant deformities
What factors may influence growth plate closure?
Growth hormone, oestrogen
What is a fracture?
Breach in the integrity of part or the whole of a bone
What is a simple or closed fracture?
Clean break with intact overlying tissues
What is a compound or open fracture?
Direct communication between broken bone & skin surface
What is a transverse fracture?
Fracture line is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
What is an oblique fracture?
Fracture line is usually angled ~30-45 ̊ to the longitudinal axis
What is a spiral fracture?
Fracture line is oblique & encircles a portion of the shaft
What is a comminuted fracture?
Multiple bone fragments
What is a compression or crush fracture?
Compression of (usually trabecular) bone e.g. vertebral bodies
What is a greenstick or incomplete fracture?
Bone incompletely fractured (portion of cortex & periosteum intact on compression side). Usually in children
What is a traumatic fracture?
Result of a single violent injury
What is a stress fracture?
Result of repeated stress (e.g. in athletes)
What is a pathological or secondary fracture?
Fracture occurring in bone weakened generally or locally by disease processes e.g. metabolic, neoplastic, hereditary
What are the stages of fracture healing?
Haematoma: Bleeding from ruptured vessels, Inflammatory reaction, phagocytes move into area
Granulation tissue: capillary loops in loose connective tissue replace
haematoma. Cell proliferation in response to growth factors/cytokines
Callus: irregular swelling bridges gap between bone ends, fibrocellular material and cartilage initially
Woven bone: Osteoprogenitor cells proliferate & move into area and form woven bone strengthening callus from ~3 weeks
Lamellar bone: woven bone callus replaced by mature lamellar bone
Remodelling: Osteoclasts and osteoblasts remodel lamellar bone into form related to function (in response to stresses). Excessive callus is resorbed & medullary cavity re-established
What factors aid fracture healing?
Stability of the fracture
Adequate blood supply
Apposition of bone ends
Age and general health of the patient /comorbitidies
What factors delay fracture healing?
Excessive movement of bone ends
Poor blood supply
Infection / foreign body
What is fracture Malunion?
Fracture heals in an unsatisfactory position
What is fracture delayed union?
Fracture healing takes longer than expected
What is fracture non union?
Fracture fails to unite
Resultant formation of fibrous union or pseudoarthrosis
What is supporting tissue?
Originates from embryonic mesoderm
Cells (5%): Fibroblasts, Adipocytes, Leukocytes
Extracellular Matrix (ECM, 95%): Fibres, collagen, elastin
Ground substance
Structural Glycoproteins
What function does bone have?
Protection and support
What function does cartilage have?
Semi rigid malleability
Support e.g. ‘shock absorbers’
Precursor for bone formation
What functions do ligaments have?
Flexible
Stability of joints
What varies the type of supporting structure found in tissue?
Variations in:
Proportion of ground substance
Proportion and type of fibrous elements
What are chondroblasts?
Precursors to cartilage that synthesise matrix
What are chondrocytes?
Mature cartilage cells that occupy lacunae & maintain matrix
What is the extracellular matrix of cartilage like?
Collagen +/- elastin fibres
Ground substance
Avascular
What is Perichondrium?
Fibrocellular covering (absent from articular surfaces) source of new chondroblasts
What are 3 types of cartilage?
Hyaline
Elastic
Fibrocartilage
What is hyaline cartilage? And where is it found?
Type 2 collagen
Articular surfaces, respiratory tract, & costal cartilages
Forms cartilage model during bone development
Abundant ECM
Allows friction free movement of joint
What is elastic cartilage? And where is it found?
Type 2 collagen & elastin
External ear, epiglottis
What is Fibrocartilage? And where is it found?
Type 1 collagen
Pubic symphysis; intervertebral discs; menisci of knee joint
Describe the formation of cartilage
Derived from mesoderm
Form chondroblasts
Mitotic division forms clusters of chondroblasts
Clusters synthesise ECM
ECM surrounds and segregates clusters
Blasts mature into chondrocytes which maintain integrity of ECM
Peripheral chondroblasts persist in perichondrium (capillaries here)
What is ground substance made from?
Proteoglycans aggregates
Protein core
Glycosaminoglycans attached: Negatively charged so cant form globules. Strands allow max volume for minimum weight
Hyaluronic acid (glycosaminoglycan backbone)
Water: volume, turgor, tense strength, storage of inactive enzymes, diffusion of metabolites
Describe hyaline cartilage of joints
Resist compression: elasticity and stiffness of proteoglycans
Tensile strength collagen and hydrogel ground substance
Maintained and turned over by chondrocytes
Limited repair and regeneration capacity - avascular: nutrition is by diffusion-limited thickness
Articular surfaces of joints - no perichondrium so no source of new chondroblasts
What are Common/ ImportantDiseases of Synovial Joints and Bones?
V- Vascular - Avascular necrosis following NOF
I- Infection, inflammation
T- Trauma - fracture, dislocation
A- Autoimmune - arthropathies, psoriatic
M- Metabolic - Osteoporosis, Pagets
I- Iatrogenic, idiopathic - Complications of drugs
N- Neoplasms and metastasis
C- Congenital - Achrondroplasia, Osteogenesis Imperfecta
D- Degenerative - Osteoarthritis
E- Endocrine - Hyperparathyroidism
What are the 5 cardinal signs of acute inflammation?
Redness Heat Swelling Loss of function Pain
What can cause bursitis?
Repetitive use, trauma or systemic arthritis
What are common areas for bursitis?
Shoulder, olecranon (elbow) and knee
What are risk factors for osteoarthritis?
Age, trauma, inflammatory disease, joint defects, gender, race, bone mass and obesity
What are the cardinal signs of chronic inflammation?
Ongoing tissue damage
Ongoing tissue repair
Ongoing inflammation
What is osteoarthritis?
Destruction: Surface cracks in cartilage, bone exposed, burnished from wear: eburnation, bone and cartilage fragments in joint cavity
Repair: Osteophytes: bony outgrowths form, Reduced proteoglycans and collagen, increased water, chondrocyte hypertrophy, Alteration of mechanical properties, bone shock absorbing properties reduced
What progressive changes occur in osteoarthritis?
Cartilage splits and is eroded so joint space narrowed
Joint capsule inflamed and oedematous, synovium inflamed
Outgrowth of bone, Osteophytes
Bone articulates with bone, eburnation
Thickening of subchondral bone plate
Development of subarticular bone cysts
What are clinical features of osteoarthritis?
Presentation: Aching joint, enlarged, hard, limited movement, grinding
(crepitation), Other joints affected due to compensation
Diagnosis: History and examination, X-ray, Bloods- Normal, Synovial fluid- May show inflammation
Management: Rehabilitation, Drugs: pain, treatment of underlying predisposing factors, Surgery e.g. replacement of resurfacing
What is gout?
Crystal arthropathy
Hyperuricaemia
Presents with an acute red swollen joint and soft tissue lesions (tophi)
Multiple attacks lead to chronic damage
What is pseudogout?
Aging cartilage degeneration: age related OA - calcium pyrophosphate crystals into joint cavity. Common in the elderly
Describe how hyperuricaemia leads to gout
Precipitation of urate crystals in joints
Complement activation, neutrophils and phagocytosis by monocytes
Release of interleukins and TNF
Phagocytosis of crystals
Lysis of neutrophils
Release of lysosomal enzymes and proteases
Tissue injury and inflammation
What are Seronegative spondylo arthropathies?
Inflammatory systemic disease involving axial skeleton (spine and sacroilliac joints) but also peripheral joints. Negative to rheumatoid factor
What is Ankylosing spondylitis?
Erosion of sites where ligaments and tendons attach to bone
Eventual posterior fusion of spine and possible involvement of upper spine and large joints. 5x more common in men
90% have HLA-B27 antigen
What are Reactive arthropathies?
Inflammatory joint disorders with an infective cause but distant in time and place from the infection
What is Psoriatic arthritis?
Inflammation of the joints in 5-7% of psoriasis sufferers
What are the main 4 microbes that can cause osteomyelitis?
Staphylococcus aureus including MRSA
Streptococci (ß-haemolytic and S. pneumoniae)
Aerobic gram-negative rods eg. E. coli
Coagulase-negative staphylococci
Name some less common causes of osteomyelitis
Neisseria gonorrhoeae Brucella spp. Mycobacterium tuberculosis Salmonella spp. Lyme disease (B. burgdorferi) Fungi
What are the 5 stages of pathogenesis of bone infection?
Pathogens gain access to bone or joint
Pathogens adhere to target structures
Elaboration of virulence factors
Host responses, protective and destructive
Biofilm formation and establishment of chronicity
What are 3 phases of growth of a bacterial population?
Lag - adhesin genes on, toxin genes off, stick to surfaces
Log - quorum sensing, detect other bacteria around it
Post exponential - adhesin genes off, toxin genes on
What effect does foreign material have on infection?
Promotes it
Increases severity
Reduces the amount of innoculum required to establish an infection
What are the 2 methods of access that bacteria use to get to bones and joints?
Haematogenous: Primary or Secondary to obvious infective focus
Direct access: Trauma, Surgery, Arthrocentesis (joint fluid collection), Adjoining soft tissue infection, Chronic loss of soft tissue cover (ulcers and pressure sores)
What are the most common locations for Haematogenous spread of infection to bone? (Acute osteomyelitis)
Metaphyses of long bones and intervertebral discs due to end arteries
Most common joints: hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle, wrist
What are common routes of infection spread for contiguous osteomyelitis? (Direct spread)
Focus of infection with direct spread: Otitis media/mastoiditis/
sinusitis, Infected fracture, Surgical wound e.g. mediastinitis
Chronic soft tissue loss: Pressure sores, Diabetic foot ulcers, Venous ulcers
How can a minor bone infection progress to lead to osteomyelitis?
Intramedullary spread of infection leads to more bone death
Dead bone permits infection to persist
Describe the pathophysiology of how diabetic foot ulcers can lead to osteomyelitis
Neuropathy leads to motor, sensory and autonomic changes
Abnormal foot biomechanics, unaware of damage and Reduced skin
compliance and lubrication can all lead to ulceration
This combined with vascular insufficiency complications can lead to infection
Describe the process of chronic bone infection
Dead bone acts as foreign material
Bacteria in hypoxic environment, on surface of dead bone, not killed
Unresolved infection causes chronic suppuration, tissue destruction and sinus formation which leads to further bone death
Formation of a sequestrum (dead) surrounded by an involucrum (alive) which is breached via one or more cloacae through which pus escapes
What are the clinical presentations of an acute osteomyelitis?
Pain
Loss of function
Fever and sepsis
Erythema, swelling, tenderness, drainage
What are the clinical presentations of a chronic osteomyelitis?
Pain
Loss of function
Chronically discharging wound
Chronic ill health
What are signs of osteomyelitis?
Tenderness
Irritable joint
Reduced range of movement
Inability to weight bear or use limb
Soft tissue abnormal: swelling, induration, erythema, sinus formation
May be indistinguishable from non-infective process
How do you diagnose acute osteomyelitis?
Pus on bone/prosthesis: Macroscopically or microscopic as ‘pus cells’ or neutrophils in tissue
Growth of bacteria in a normally sterile site - Arthrocentesis
What extra precaution is required to diagnose a chronic indolent osteomyelitis?
Multiple samples required to establish contaminant vs true pathogen
Which 2 joint affecting infective conditions cannot be cultured?
Lyme disease serology
Syphillis serology
What laboratory specimens should be taken for a prosthetic joint?
Difficult to distinguish contaminants from low-virulence organisms
Finding the same bacteria in multiple samples is predictive of infection
Neutrophils in bone histology is the gold standard
Alongside lab cultures, what supporting evidence can be used to test for osteomyelitis?
Inflammatory markers
Radiology: X-ray – bone destruction, Bone scan/white cell scan, MRI/CT
What surgical interventions can be used to treat osteomyelitis which is not treatable to antibiotics?
Debridement: removal of unhealthy tissue from wound
Revision (one or two stage): removal of existing prosthetic and replacement with new parts
Reconstruction
What supportive treatments can be given to aid in recovery from osteomyelitis?
Physiotherapy
Walking aids, prosthetics
Psychological
How can antibiotics be used against osteomyelitis?
Prolonged: Prosthetic joint infections following debridement surgery may need 6 months of antibiotic treatment
Shorter courses adequate if prosthetic material removed
Intravenous: Unproven benefit,mOften given in community as part of an OPAT service (outpatient parenteral antibiotic treatment)
How can infection be prevented before surgery?
Prophylactic antibiotics
Appropriate antibiotics administered within 60 minutes prior to surgery and only repeated if there is excessive blood loss, a prolonged operation or during prosthetic surgery
What is decolonisation?
Often recommended for MRSA colonised patients
Nasal ointment and antibacterial washes
May not result in long term clearance of MRSA but temporary measure immediately pre operatively
What factors of patient selection may be taken into account before proceeding with surgery?
Higher risk if: Smoker Poorly controlled diabetes Chronic disease Poor nutritional status, obesity Malignancy Immunosuppression Infection elsewhere Ulcers Some medications
What preparation of the patient can be performed pre surgery to minimise risk of infection?
MRSA screening and decolonisation Pre-op shower/wash with soap: DoH: 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol solution, NICE: aqueous or alcohol-based, ensure that antiseptic skin preparations are dried by evaporation and pooling of alcohol-based preparations is avoided Hair removal (clipping if required) Patient theatre wear: Drapes, NICE: If an incise drape is required, use an iodophor-impregnated drape unless the patient has an iodine allergy
What preparations should be surgeon take before a surgery to minimise infection risk?
NICE: wash hands prior to the first operation on the list using an aqueous antiseptic surgical solution, with a single-use brush or pick for the nails, and ensure that hands and nails are visibly clean
Before subsequent operations, hands should be washed using either an alcoholic hand rub or an antiseptic surgical solution. If hands are soiled then they should be washed again with an antiseptic surgical solution
PPE worn: Gowns, Gloves, Masks
What surgical skills should be used to minimise infection risk?
Asepsis Haemostasis Management of deadspace Irrigation Drains Wound closure
What aspects of theatre environment should be controlled to minimise infection spread?
Theatre discipline (e.g staff traffic, closed doors, scrub areas) Theatre air: A/C per hour, Ventilation systems