NEW MORPHOLOGICAL CONCEPTS IN REGULATION OF BONE-STRUCTURE AND THEIR RELATION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF OSTEOPOROSIS

Structure of trabecular bone represents the result of a cellular remodelling process. There occurs a permanent restoration of old ("fatique") bone tissue by coupled osteoclasts and osteoblasts. In addition, so called "killer osteoclasts" remove important trabecular bone structures (plates horizontal connection) due to perforations. These perforations induces a non-repairable loss of bone mass and bone structure. Microcallus formations frequently occur after the 5th decade of life and might be an important factor of local bone repair in osteoporotic subjects.