BONE HISTOLOGY

• Bone is a specialized connective tissue composed of

intercellular calcified material, the bone matrix, and four cell
types (collagen type 1 forund in bones)
• Functions:
Support
Protection
Hematopoiesis, blood cell formation
Mineral Homeostasis
Energy Storage
ORGANIC & INORGANIC CONSTITUENTS OF BONE MATRIX

• calcium & Phosphorus .

• Water.

• Storage form of Calcium :

● calcium + phosphate +
hydroxyl =
hydroxyapatite
Cells
▶ 1) Osteoprogenitor cells : stem cells of mesenchymal
origin.

▶2)osteoblasts: synthesize the organic components of

the matrix

▶3)osteocytes :which are found in cavities (lacunae)

within the matrix. Mechanical receptors, if you
exercise or get fat it will send osteoblast to form
more matrix and bones will be heavier and stronger
▶4)osteoclasts: multinucleated giant cells involved in
the resorption and remodeling of bone tissue.
PERIOSTEUM & ENDOSTEUM

All bones are lined on both internal and external surfaces by

layers of tissue containing osteogenic cells.
• endosteum on the internal surface
• periosteum on the external surface.

• nutrition of osseous tissue.

• supply of new osteoblasts for repair or growth of bone.
• The periosteum consists of
• outer layer of collagen fibers and fibroblasts
• Sharpey's fibers, penetrate the Bone matrix, binding
the periosteum to bone.
• The inner, more cellular layer of the periosteum is
composed of osteoprogenitor cells.
OSTEOBLASTS
• synthesis of the organic
components of bone matrix
(type I collagen, proteoglycans,
and glycoproteins).

• located at the surfaces of bone

tissue.
• Some are gradually surrounded
by newly formed matrix, non
calcified matrix osteoid layer
and become osteocytes.
• During this process a space
called a lacuna is formed.
OSTEOCYTES
• derived from osteoblasts, lie
in the lacunae.

• canaliculi house cytoplasmic

processes of osteocytes.
Communication and blood
supply btw cells.
• Processes of adjacent cells
make contact via gap
junctions.
Osteoclasts
• derived from monocyte
• large multinucleated.
• ruffled border close to
the bone matrix.

• the clear zone is devoid of

organelles, yet rich in actin
filaments.
• Howship lacuna.
• The acidification &
activity of lysosomal
facilitates bone
dissolution by hydrolases
OSTEOCLAST FORMATION
processes of combination of bone synthesis and removal
is called Bone Remodeling
Osteoporosis
• Trabecular and cortical bone lose mass
• normal bone mineralization and lab values (serum Ca2+ and PO4
3− ).
• Most commonly due to increased bone resorption:
• Low estrogen levels. At Menopause.
• old age.
• Can be 2° to drugs (e.g., steroids, alcohol, anticonvulsants,
anticoagulants, thyroid replacement therapy).
• other conditions (eg, hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism,
multiple myeloma, malabsorption syndromes, anorexia
OSTEOPOROTIC VERTEBRAL BODY (RIGHT) SHORTENED BY COMPRESSION
FRACTURES, COMPARED WITH A NORMAL VERTEBRAL BODY.
Osteopetrosis
• Failure of normal bone resorption due to defective osteoclasts
•  thickened, dense bones that are prone to fracture.
• Mutations (e.g., carbonic anhydrase II).
• Overgrowth of cortical bone fills marrow space pancytopenia,
extramedullary hematopoiesis.
• cranial nerve palsies due to narrowed foramina.
• X-rays show diffuse symmetric sclerosis (bone-in-bone, “stone
bone”)
• Bone marrow transplant.
Microscopic examination
• Primary bone is a temporary
tissue and is soon replaced by
the definitive lamellar, or
secondary bone

● Woven bone 1st

• collagen is in a
woven/irregular pattern
● Lamellar bone - seen in the
mature skeleton
• forms into
• compact bone
• spongy bone /
cancellous bone
 SECONDARY BONE :
• shows multiple layers of
calcified matrix (each 3–
7 m thick)
• referred to as lamellar
bone.
• The lamellae are either
parallel or concentrically
around a vascular canal.
• osteon (haversian
system) H, where nerves
and blood vessels pass
• transverse or oblique
perforating canals
(Volkmann canals)
 Osteon
• The outer boundary of
each osteon is a more
collagen-rich layer called
the cement line.

• external circumferential
lamellae : immediately
beneath the periosteum
• inner circumferential
lamellae : around the
marrow cavity.
• interstitial lamellae
between the two.
OSTEOGENESIS

• Bone can be formed in two ways:

1)Intramembranous ossification by direct
mineralization of matrix secreted by osteoblasts

2)Endochondral ossification by deposition of bone

matrix on a preexisting cartilage matrix , From Hyaline
cartilage scaffolding.
INTRAMEMBRANOUS OSSIFICATION
most of the flat bones
growth of short bones
thickening of long bones
ENDOCHONDRAL OSSIFICATION

• hyaline cartilage .
• formation of short and long bones.
• bone collar is produced by osteoblast surrounding
perichondrium.
• The collar promote degenerative changes .
• The chondrocytes produce alkaline phosphatase and swell
up and die.
• lead to calcification.
ENDOCHONDRAL OSSIFICATION
• Blood vessels bring osteoprogenitor cells to the porous
central region.
• osteoblasts adhere to the matrix and produce primary bone.
• the calcified cartilage appears basophilic, and the primary
bone is eosinophilic.
 
Epiphyseal Plate
Resting zone :
o small chondrocytes.
Proliferative zone :
o rapidly dividing chondrocytes ,
o The matrix is laid down.
Hypertrophic zone :
o large chondrocytes contain glycogen.
o chondrocytes degenerate, matrix resorption.
Calcified cartilage zone : chondrocytes die.
• blood vessel invasion and bone deposition on the calcified cartilage.
Ossification zone :
• primary spongiosa forms by rapidly mineralized osteoid
BONE CALCIUM BALANCE

• The skeleton contains 99% of the total calcium of the body

• Bone calcium is mobilized by two mechanisms:

• 1. simple transfer of ions from hydroxyapatite crystals to

interstitial fluid.
• takes place mainly in spongy bone,
• aided by the large surface area of the hydroxyapatite
crystals.
• 2. the action of hormones on bone.

• Parathyroid hormone activates (osteoclasts) promoting

resorption of the bone matrix.
• calcitonin, inhibits matrix resorption.

• Estrogen inhibits apoptosis in osteoblasts and induces

apoptosis in osteoclasts.
• Causes closure of epiphyseal plate during puberty.
• Estrogen deficiency increase the risk of osteoporosis
HYPERPARATHYROIDISM

• Chronically high PTH levels (1° hyperparathyroidism) cause catabolic

effects (osteitis fibrosa cystica).

• Cortical and trabecular bone are lost and replaced by loose

connective tissue.
• Hemosiderin deposits are present.

• collections of osteoclasts, reactive giant cells, and

hemorrhagic debris form a distinct mass, termed a brown
tumor, (osteodystrophia fibrosa ,Von Recklinghausen's
disease of bone.
BONY MANIFESTATIONS OF HYPERPARATHYROIDISM.
A, OSTEOCLASTS DISRUPTING LAMELLAR BONE.
B, EXPANSILE CYSTIC MASS ("BROWN TUMOR)
Osteomalacia / rickets
• Defective mineralization of osteoid (osteomalacia) or
cartilaginous growth plates (rickets, only in children).
• due to vitamin D deficiency.
• X-rays show osteopenia and “Looser zones” (pseudo fractures) in
osteomalacia,
• epiphyseal widening and metaphyseal cupping/fraying in rickets.
• Children with rickets have pathologic bow legs, bead-like
costochondral junctions , craniotabes (soft skull).
• Low vitamin D, low serum Ca2+, high PTH secretion, low serum
PO4 3− .
• Hyperactivity of osteoblasts increase ALP.
VITAMIN C
• formation of hydroxyproline, which is vital for collagen.
• In childhood, this gives rise to scurvy & the adult
counterpart is osteoporosis which is essential for collagen
synthesis by both osteoblasts and osteocytes.
 JOINTS

Site where two bones come together

Classified into two types:
1. Functional classification
2. Structural classification

• Functional classification:
• Based on the amount of movement allowed :
1.Synarthroses :
immovable joints

Eg; Sutures of skull

2. Amphiarthroses :
Slightly movable joints

• Ex : intervertebral discs
between vertebrae.
3. Diarthroses :
Freely movable joints

• Ex : Joints appendicular
skeleton.
II. STRUCTURAL CLASSIFICATION OF
JOINTS
• A. Based on material which joints bones ( between bones):

• 3 Types

• 1. Fibrous
• 2. Cartilaginous
• 3. Synovial
 1. FIBROUS JOINTS
o Joints composed of fibrous tissue.
o No joint cavity is present.
o 3 types:
A. Sutures = short fibrous CT fibers;
o synarthroses.
B. Syndesmoses = cord of fibrous tissue called a
ligament;
o Example = tibiofibular joint.
C. Gomphoses = tooth within its bony socket;
o short periodontal ligament.
 2. CARTILAGINOUS JOINTS

o Joints composed of cartilage.

o No joint cavity.

2 types:
o A. Synchondroses
o B. Symphyses
A. Synchondrosis joint:

o A plate of hyaline
cartilage.
o Joint with limited
movement.
o Sites of bone growth
during youth.
B. Symphysis joint :

o Pad or plate of fibrocartilage

o Joint with limited movement :
Amphiarthroses.
o Compressible “shock absorber”
Ex : Intervertebral discs.
Pubic symphysis.
 3. SYNOVIAL JOINTS
Fluid-filled joint cavity.
Free movement = diarthrosis.
A. General Structure = 5 distinct features:
Articular cartilage : Hyaline cartilage covers the
surface of each bone.
Joint cavity :
Articular capsule :
Double layered capsule surrounding cavity.
External, tough flexible fibrous capsule (continuous with
periostea of the bones).
Synovial membrane :
loose CT lining of fibrous capsule, covers all internal joint
surfaces excluding hyaline cartilage.
Synovial fluid :
o viscous lubricating fluid within
cavity.
o Reduces friction between
cartilages of 2 bones;
o Provides "weeping
lubrication";
o Nourishes cartilage;
o Contains phagocytes.
Reinforcing ligaments :
o Ligaments that strengthen joint.
o Usually thickened portions of
fibrous capsule.
• A 25-year-old patient, anemic for several years, complains of failing
eyesight and hearing loss. During a physical examination, it is
determined that the patient has lost function of some of the cranial
nerves. The diagnosis could be which one of the following?

• (A) Osteoporosis
• (B) Osteomalacia
• (C) Rickets
• (D) Acromegaly
• (E) Osteopetrosis