You might wonder how well the bones hold our body together! But, you may not know about them doing many functions apart from just being a scaffolding. Of course, bones help us move our bodies in many ways. Without bones, there wouldn’t be a perfect environment for the bone marrow! Here are some of the notable things you need to know about the bones, the inevitable component of the human body.
Everything You Need To Know About Bone Structure And Composition!
Humans are born with almost 270 soft bones. Some of them will fuse, and eventually, an adult will have 206 bones. Bones are primarily made of collagen, a type of protein. This soft framework is then made strong by the mineral- calcium phosphate. Do you know that almost 99% of the body’s calcium is accommodated in our bones and teeth?
Some of the common facts you would be familiar with the human bone structure are the thighbone or femur being the largest bone, and stapes in the middle ear being the smallest one. All that being said, bones have a rigid internal structure that can be compared to a honeycomb. Let’s have a quick rundown through the structure of bones or have a look at The Bone Density Solution Reviews by Powdersville Post
The Structure of Bones
Bones can be categorized into Compact and Cancellous based on tissue composition.
- Compact bone: Also called the cortical bone will have a strong, durable, dense, and thick layer. 80% of adult bone mass is of compact bones.
- Cancellous bone: Less dense, when compared to compact bone. Cancellous or spongy bone is more flexible and lighter. Bones are constantly maintained and remodeled as they are not static tissue. Three types of cells are involved in the remodeling process of bones:
- Osteoblasts: They are involved in repairing the old bones and making new ones. When the protein mixture from osteoblasts called osteoid is mineralized, it becomes bone. Osteoblasts even manufacture hormones like prostaglandins.
- Osteocytes: Osteoblasts that get trapped in the bone when created are called osteocytes. They bridge the gap between osteocytes and osteoblasts. Osteocytes also play a vital role in getting through communication within bone tissue.
- Osteoclasts: These cells are large and break down bone. They are responsible for the resorption process where enzymes and acids are released to melt minerals in bone and absorb them.
Bone marrow is a tissue found in bones that contain cancellous bone. It helps produce enough red blood cells for the body. Bone marrow also produces white blood cells that help immune response.
Bone Classification
Bones are classified into 5 types according to the shape:
- Long bones
- Short bones
- Flat bones
- Irregular bones
- Appendicular skeleton
- Axial Skeleton
Bones get remodeled every time in a two-part process- resorption and formation. Through the process of remodeling, the skeleton gets reshaped during growth. During then, it gets all the damages fixed. The process of remodeling takes place under the control of several hormones.
Bones help store minerals like calcium and phosphorus. They also help in storing fatty acids. Bones also play a significant role in helping blood to have the right pH level. By absorbing minerals and toxic elements from the blood, bones also help in the detoxification process.
In short, bones are more than just a structure to hold the whole body!