Question

A bone tumor disrupts the normal structure of osteons, replacing the organized rings with disorganized, irregular masses of bone. How will this impact the ability of a bone to perform its functions?

Answer 1

Answer:

A bone mass will affect bone remodeling and the process of the obtaining necessary nutrients for the bone.

Explanation:

Bone remodeling occurs in specific places within the bone, which are made up of a basic multicellular unit, which contains osteocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, bone surface cells and support cells for the capillaries and that act in coordination.

This Process is carried out through phases that are consecutive, asymmetrical and have a variable duration for each of them. The process begins with the recruitment of osteoclast precursors so that they go to a place on the quiescent surfaces (such as those that are asleep), which are present on the trabecular or endogenous surface or where the osteones are located. The mature osteoclasts will be responsible for the activation of their spring function and will form a space that will be called the Howship lagoon, and is in the next phase called the investment phase will be destroyed and used as a substrate thanks to the collaboration of cells that are part of the macrophage line and with bone surface cells. This situation will allow mature osteoblasts to fill the osteoid cavity. Finally, it will give way to the production of mineralization and the formation of mature bone.

While this function is present in physiological conditions there will be no problem. However, when there is an imbalance between the two processes such as the bone tumor that alters the bone structures called osteone, the activation of the units responsible for bone remodeling will be increased, and an increase in bone fragility can be caused since it does not occur. The osteoblastic filling process is finished while the osteoclastic activity exceeds by far.

In this functional unit of bone, which enjoys a large organization, there is also the process of obtaining nutrients by bloodstream.If this unit is disrupt by disorganized rings, there will be difficulties in obtaining the necessary nutrients to keep the bone matrix.