Bone Growth and Development

Ossification, or osteogenesis, is the process of bone formation by osteoblasts.

Ossification is distinct from the process of calcification; whereas calcification takes place
during the ossification of bones, it can also occur in other tissues. Ossification begins
approximately six weeks after fertilization in an embryo. Before this time, the embryonic
skeleton consists entirely of fibrous membranes and hyaline cartilage. The development of
bone from fibrous membranes is called intramembranous ossification; development from
hyaline cartilage is called endochondral ossification. Bone growth continues until
approximately age 25. Bones can grow in thickness throughout life, but after age 25,
ossification functions primarily in bone remodeling and repair.

Bone Remodeling

The process in which matrix is resorbed on one surface of a bone and deposited on another is
known as bone modeling. Modeling primarily takes place during a bone’s growth. However,
in adult life, bone undergoes remodeling, in which resorption of old or damaged bone takes
place on the same surface where osteoblasts lay new bone to replace that which is resorbed.
Injury, exercise, and other activities lead to remodeling but even without injury or exercise,
about 5 to 10 percent of the skeleton is remodeled annually just by destroying old bone and
renewing it with fresh bone.
 Osteoporosis is a disorder characterized by reduced bone mass, impaired bone quality
and a propensity to fracture. For decades, this disease was considered a syndrome
characterized by back pain, vertebral fractures and osteopenia on plain films. Identifying
secondary causes of low bone mass was the principle objective of most clinicians. However
osteoporosis is now classified as a primary disorder of the skeleton related to profound
metabolic changes not only in bone but related to whole body homeostasis. 

How bones can be protected?

As a student:
In order to maintain strong and healthy bones, we have to take good care of them by
supplying our body with the nutrients and exercise it needs. Our bones are fed nutrients such
as calcium by our blood. Calcium is stored within bones and is essential to bone health. If we
do not consume enough calcium in our diets, our body draws on the calcium already stored in
the bones. Bones consistently remodel themselves by building up new bone tissue and
breaking down old bone tissue.
As a nurse:
It is extremely important to give your body all the nutrients it needs to build strong and
healthy bones, especially during childhood and adolescence (periods of accelerated growth),
or you may put yourself at risk of developing osteoporosis later in life. Calcium is essential to
bones and vital in building bone mass, growth and maintaining strong bones. Dairy is a major
source of calcium. Three serves of dairy a day are recommended as part of a healthy diet and
to keep your bones strong and healthy. Vitamin D helps us to absorb calcium from food and
drink. All exercise, but particularly weight-bearing and resistance exercise, is extremely
important for maintaining strong and healthy bones. Weight-bearing exercises are exercises
that are performed while you are on your feet, such as skipping, jogging, dancing or aerobics.
These exercises are great for bone strength and increasing bone mass because of the impact
or strain they place on bones. Regular exercise also helps to strengthen muscles, which in
turn helps to support joints.
 Anatomy
and
Physiology

Submitted by: Troy Albert Miranda

Submitted to: Prof. Jeanette J. Rojo