Bones: All you need to know

Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M.D. on January 11, 2018 — Written by Tim
Newman

Bones are more than just the scaffolding that holds the body together. Bones come in all shapes
and sizes and have many roles. In this article, we explain their function, what they are made of,
and the types of cells involved.

Despite first impressions, bones are living, active tissues that are constantly being remodeled.

Bones have many functions. They support the body structurally, protect our vital organs, and
allow us to move. Also, they provide an environment for bone marrow, where the blood cells are
created, and they act as a storage area for minerals, particularly calcium.

At birth, we have around 270 soft bones. As we grow, some of these fuse. Once we reach
adulthood, we have 206 bones.

The largest bone in the human body is the thighbone or femur, and the smallest is the stapes in
the middle ear, which are just 3 millimeters (mm) long.

Bones are mostly made of the protein collagen, which forms a soft framework. The mineral
calcium phosphate hardens this framework, giving it strength. More than 99 percent of our body's
calcium is held in our bones and teeth.

Bones have an internal structure similar to a honeycomb, which makes them rigid yet relatively
light.

Bones are composed of two types of tissue:

1. Compact (cortical) bone: A hard outer layer that is dense, strong, and durable. It makes up
around 80 percent of adult bone mass.
2. Cancellous (trabecular or spongy) bone: This consists of a network of trabeculae or rod-like
structures. It is lighter, less dense, and more flexible than compact bone.

Also found in bones:

osteoblasts and osteocytes, responsible for creating bone

osteoclasts or bone resorbing cells

osteoid, a mix of collagen and other proteins

inorganic mineral salts within the matrix

nerves and blood vessels

bone marrow

cartilage

membranes, including the endosteum and periosteum

Bone cells

Bones are not a static tissue but need to be constantly maintained and remodeled. There are three
main cell types involved in this process.

Osteoblasts: These are responsible for making new bone and repairing older bone. Osteoblasts
produce a protein mixture called osteoid, which is mineralized and becomes bone. They also
manufacture hormones, including prostaglandins.

Osteocytes: These are inactive osteoblasts that have become trapped in the bone that they have
created. They maintain connections to other osteocytes and osteoblasts. They are important for
communication within bone tissue.
Osteoclasts: These are large cells with more than one nucleus. Their job is to break down bone.
They release enzymes and acids to dissolve minerals in bone and digest them. This process is
called resorption. Osteoclasts help remodel injured bones and create pathways for nerves and
blood vessels to travel through.

What do bones do?

Bones serve several vital functions:

Mechanical

Bones provide a frame to support the body. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments attach to bones.
Without anchoring to bones, muscles could not move the body.

Some bones protect the body's internal organs. For instance, the skull protects the brain, and the
ribs protect the heart and lungs.

Synthesizing

Cancellous bone produces red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells. Also, defective and
old red blood cells are destroyed in bone marrow.

Bones: All you need to know

Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M.D. on January 11, 2018 — Written by Tim
Newman

Structure
Cells

Function

Types

Remodeling

Osteoporosis

Bones are more than just the scaffolding that holds the body together. Bones come in all shapes
and sizes and have many roles. In this article, we explain their function, what they are made of,
and the type…

[05.02, 26/11/2019] Hasna~: Axial skeleton — bones of the skull, vertebral column, thoracic
cage.

Bones: All you need to know

Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M.D. on January 11, 2018 — Written by Tim
Newman

Structure

Cells

Function

Types

Remodeling

Osteoporosis

Bones are more than just the scaffolding that holds the body together. Bones come in all shapes
and sizes and have many roles. In this article, we explain their function, what they are made of,
and the types of cells involved.
Despite first impressions, bones are living, active tissues that are constantly being remodeled.

Bones have many functions. They support the body structurally, protect our vital organs, and
allow us to move. Also, they provide an environment for bone marrow, where the blood cells are
created, and they act as a storage area for minerals, particularly calcium.

At birth, we have around 270 soft bones. As we grow, some of these fuse. Once we reach
adulthood, we have 206 bones.

The largest bone in the human body is the thighbone or femur, and the smallest is the stapes in
the middle ear, which are just 3 millimeters (mm) long.

Bones are mostly made of the protein collagen, which forms a soft framework. The mineral
calcium phosphate hardens this framework, giving it strength. More than 99 percent of our body's
calcium is held in our bones and teeth.

Bones have an internal structure similar to a honeycomb, which makes them rigid yet relatively
light.

The structure of bones

Bone anatomy

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Bones are composed of two types of tissue:

1. Compact (cortical) bone: A hard outer layer that is dense, strong, and durable. It makes up
around 80 percent of adult bone mass.
2. Cancellous (trabecular or spongy) bone: This consists of a network of trabeculae or rod-like
structures. It is lighter, less dense, and more flexible than compact bone.

Also found in bones:

osteoblasts and osteocytes, responsible for creating bone

osteoclasts or bone resorbing cells

osteoid, a mix of collagen and other proteins

inorganic mineral salts within the matrix

nerves and blood vessels

bone marrow

cartilage

membranes, including the endosteum and periosteum

Below is a 3D map of the skeletal system. Click to explore.

Bone cells

Bones are not a static tissue but need to be constantly maintained and remodeled. There are three
main cell types involved in this process.

Osteoblasts: These are responsible for making new bone and repairing older bone. Osteoblasts
produce a protein mixture called osteoid, which is mineralized and becomes bone. They also
manufacture hormones, including prostaglandins.

Osteocytes: These are inactive osteoblasts that have become trapped in the bone that they have
created. They maintain connections to other osteocytes and osteoblasts. They are important for
communication within bone tissue.
Osteoclasts: These are large cells with more than one nucleus. Their job is to break down bone.
They release enzymes and acids to dissolve minerals in bone and digest them. This process is
called resorption. Osteoclasts help remodel injured bones and create pathways for nerves and
blood vessels to travel through.

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What do bones do?

Bones serve several vital functions:

Mechanical

Bones provide a frame to support the body. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments attach to bones.
Without anchoring to bones, muscles could not move the body.

Some bones protect the body's internal organs. For instance, the skull protects the brain, and the
ribs protect the heart and lungs.
Synthesizing

Cancellous bone produces red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells. Also, defective and
old red blood cells are destroyed in bone marrow.

Metabolic

Electron microscope bone image credit Sbertazzo

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Electron microscope image of trabecular bone (x100 magnification).

Image credit: Sbertazzo

Storing minerals: Bones act as a reserve for minerals, particularly calcium and phosphorous.

They also store some growth factors, such as insulin-like growth factor.

Fat storage: Fatty acids can be stored in the bone marrow adipose tissue.

pH balance: Bones can release or absorb alkaline salts, helping blood to stay at the right pH level.

Detoxification: Bones can absorb heavy metals and other toxic elements from the blood.

Endocrine function: Bones release hormones that act on the kidneys and influence blood sugar
regulation and fat deposition.

Calcium balance: Bones can raise or reduce calcium in the blood by forming bone, or breaking it
down in a process called resorption.
Types of bone

There are five types of bones in the human body:

Long bones: These are mostly compacted bone with little marrow and include most of the bones
in the limbs. These bones tend to support weight and help movement.

Short bones: Only a thin layer of compact bone, these include bones of the wrist and ankle.

Flat bones: Usually bones that are thin and curved. They consist of two outer layers of compact
bone and an inner layer of spongy bone. Flat bones include most of the bones of the skull and the
sternum or breastbone. They tend to have a protective role.

Sesamoid bones: These are embedded in tendons, such as the patella or kneecap. They protect
tendons from wear and stress.

Irregular bones: As their name implies, these are bones that do not fit into the first four categories
and are an unusual shape. They include the bones of the spine and pelvis. They are often
protecting organs or tissues.

Bones of the skeleton are split into two groups:

Appendicular skeleton — bones of the limbs, shoulders, and pelvic girdle.

Axial skeleton — bones of the skull, vertebral column, thoracic cage.

Bone remodeling

Bones in a graveyard

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Bone is constantly under construction.

Bone is always being remodeled. This is a two-part process:

1. Resorption when osteoclasts break down and remove bone.

2. Formation when new bone tissue is laid down.

An estimated 10 percent of an adult's skeleton is replaced each year.

Remodeling allows the body to fix damaged sections, reshape the skeleton during growth, and
regulate calcium levels.

If one part of the skeleton is put under increased stress over time, for instance, during sport or
exercise, the sections of bone under most pressure will become thicker in response.

Remodeling is under the control of several hormones, including parathyroid hormone, calcitonin,
vitamin D, estrogen in women, and testosterone in men.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a bone disease where there is a reduction in bone mineral density. This increases
the risk of fractures occurring. Osteoporosis is most common in women after the menopause.
However, it can happen in premenopausal women and men.
Osteoporosis occurs either when removal or resorption of bone happens too quickly, new bone is
formed too slowly, or for both reasons. It can be caused by having inadequate calcium, a vitamin
D deficiency, consuming excessive alcohol, or smoking tobacco.

In a nutshell

Although they get less attention than other body parts, bones are more than just a protective
scaffold on which the human body is built.

Bones also maintain appropriate levels of many compounds and regulate hormonal pathways.
Bones are the unsung heroes of anatomy.

I.

RED MARROW YELLOW MARROW SPONGY BONE

NERVE BLOOD VESSELS TRABECULAE

COMPACT BONE PERIOSTEUM ARTICULAR CARTILAGE

II. Multiplied choise

1. what the type of bone on the picture

A. Short bones

B. Long bones

C. Irregular bones

D. Sesamoid bones
2. what the type of bone on the picture

A. Short bones
B. Long bones
C. Irregular bones
D. Sesamoid bones

3. what the type of bone on the picture

A. Short bones

B. Long bones

C. Irregular bones

D. Sesamoid bones

4. what the type of bone on the picture

 A. Short bones

B. Long bones

C. Flat bones

D. Sesamoid bones

5. what the type of bone on the picture

A. Short bones

B. Long bones

C. Irregular bones

D. Sesamoid bones
 6. . bone disease where there is a reduction in bone mineral density is
A. Menopause
B. Osteoblasts
C. Osteocytes
C. Osteoporosis
7. How many bones are in the human body?
A. 113
B. 206
C. 34
D. 458

8. What should you drink to make your bones stronger?

A. Soda
B. Coffee
C. Sports Drinks
D. Milk
9. Consists of a network of trabeculae or rod-like structures
A. compact bone
B. Trabeculae
C. Spongy bone
D. Red marrow
10. Which does not include the main cell types involved in this process.
A. Osteoclasts
B. Osteoblasts
C. Osteocytes
C. Osteoporosis

III. Answer questions

1. A mixture of protein produced by osteoblasts ( osteoid)

2. Osteoblasts that have become trapped in the bone that they have created is (Osteocytes)

3. The process release enzymes and acids to dissolve minerals in bone and digest them is
(resorption)

4. Their job is to break down bone and help remodel injured bones and create pathways for
nerves and blood vessels to travel through. (Osteoclasts)

5. The skull protects the (brain)

6. The ribs protect the ( heart and lungs)

7. Osteoid, hormon, prostaglandin produced by(osteblasts)

8. Cancellous bone produces red blood cells, platelets, and (white blood cells)

9. Defective and old red blood cells will be destroyed in ( bone marrow)

10. How many types of bones in the human body ( 5)