The body of an adult has 206 bones. Together with the muscles, tendons and joints in the body, they make sure that we can stand, sit and walk. Continue to support and protect the bones the body, especially the organs. And the skull causes the brains safe "packages". Finally, the large bone marrow, containing a soft core in which blood cells are created. The bones are held in place and connected to each other by muscles, tendons and joints. Most joints work like a hinge (knees, fingers), others as a mortar in a bowl (shoulder, hip). They provide the body in this way, wide possibilities of movement. A bone is composed of bone tissue, which is composed of lime and adhesive. Lime provides the strength and adhesive fabric for flexibility.In babies the bones almost entirely of cartilage exist. During growth (to about 25 years) many pieces of cartilage are replaced by real bone.Because children still possess flexible bones they break a bone at a much slower rate than older people falling. One can distinguish three types of bones:
- Flat bones, these are flat and tend to be broad. (For example, the bones of the cranium, shoulder blades, pelvis, ribs and sternum)
- Long bones, these are long and thin. (Eg tibia, femur, phalanges)
- Irregular (short) bones, which are about the same size in all directions.
Problems, diseases and disorders
A common disease of the bones, osteoporosis (bone loss) in the Netherlands, approximately 700,000 people suffer from it. Until the 35th year, more than broken bone is created, and then reverses that process slowly. Osteoporosis is most common in women after the menopause.
A common problem is of course the fracture.
Bone cancer of the bone itself is a rare condition. Metastases of other cancer types have come relatively often within the bone.
Fibrous dysplasia
Fibrous dysplasia is a disorder in the development of the bone.
Liberate
Bone arises from connective tissue cells that matured into bone tissue. Sometimes it can be in one or more places that ripen not continue and there will be pockets of connective tissue down to the bone. This tissue will usually grow and what to elbow. Healthy bone No one knows exactly why it occurs. It is thought to disturbances in certain boteiwitten and genetic aspects.
Form
We know of a form in which more than one bone occurs: the poly (much) ostotische (bone) form. It is strange that it often occurs on one side of the body. The form that occurs in only one bone called the mono (a) ostotische form. Then there is the McCune-Albright syndrome, which is characterized by hormonal disorders and skin discolorations.
Fibrous dysplasia can occur in any bone, however, especially:
- Thigh
- Lower
- Ribs
- Skull
- Jaws
- Upper arms
- pelvis
Consequences
The displacement of the normal bone as a result:
- of the bones weaker
- growth disorders may occur
- distortions may occur
- bones can break spontaneously.
Complaints
Usually, the first symptom is pain in the bone concerned. If the bone becomes weaker spontaneous rupture may occur.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis can usually be made on an ordinary x-ray. Often, a MRI scan is carried out, as well as a biopsy, in which a piece of tissue is removed and viewed under the microscope. To the exclusion of other diseases
Treatment
Will usually be chosen for surgery. If the bone still seems strong enough, the lesion will be scratched out and filled with new bone. When a bone fracture is likely to be a pin or plate reinforcement. Of course, especially if the bone has been broken.
