Calcium homeostasis in the body is maintained through the balanced processes of bone resorption and deposition. Bone resorption occurs when calcium levels are low and is stimulated by PTH, while deposition occurs when calcium is high and is stimulated by calcitonin. Vitamins D, A, and C, as well as hormones like PTH, calcitonin, growth hormone, and sex hormones, regulate these processes and bone growth. Fractures heal through the stages of hematoma formation, deposition of temporary and bony calli, and bone remodeling. Osteopenia and osteoporosis can develop if bone resorption exceeds deposition over time due to factors like menopause and lack of exercise and calcium/

1. Section 2, Chapter 7
Bone Homeostasis

2. Homeostasis of Bone Tissue
Calcium is constantly exchanged between the blood and bone.
Bone resorption = Osteoclasts breakdown bone releasing
calcium into the blood. Bone resorption occurs when
blood [Ca2+] is low and it’s stimulated by parathyroid
hormone (PTH).
Bone deposition = Osteoblasts deposit new bone from
calcium in the blood stream. Bone deposition occurs
when blood [Ca2+] is high and it’s stimulated by the
hormone calcitonin.

3. Nutrients that effect bone homeostasis
Vitamin D – promotes Ca2+ absorption in small intestine
• Vitamin D deficiency = softened and deformed bones
• Osteomalacia in adults
• Rickets in children
Vitamin A – balances bone resorption and deposition
• Vitamin A deficiency = retards bone development
Vitamin C – is required for collagen synthesis.
• Vitamin C deficiency = results in fragile bones

4. Hormones that affect bone homeostasis
Calcitonin
• Secreted from thyroid gland
• Promotes bone deposition
Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
• Secreted from parathyroid glands
• Promotes bone resorption
Figure 7.13 Hormonal regulation of
blood calcium and resorption

5. Hormones that affect bone homeostasis
Growth Hormone (GH)
• Secreted from pituitary gland
• Promotes bone growth at epiphyseal
plates
Pituitary Gigantism
over secretion of GH during childhood
Pituitary Dwarfism
insufficient GH during childhood
Acromegaly
• Over secretion of GH as an adult
• Occurs after epiphyseal plates have sealed
• Enlargement of hands, feet, nose

6. Hormones that affect bone homeostasis
Sex Hormones (testosterone & estrogen)
• Promotes long bone growth at puberty
• Sex hormones also stimulate ossification at
epiphyseal plates.
Effects of Exercise on bone
homeostasis
Contracting muscles pull on bones
and promotes bone thickening
Figure 7.12 The thickened bone on
the left is better able to withstand
forces from muscle contractions.

7. Incomplete Fractures
Greenstick
fracture
Fissured
fracture

8. Complete Fractures
Transverse
fracture
Oblique
fracture
Comminuted
fracture
Spiral
fracture

9. When a bone breaks blood vessels rupture and the periosteum tears.
The repair of a broken bone occurs in 5 general steps.
Step 1. hematoma formation
Blood soon forms a
hematoma (blood clot).
Hematoma in foot

10. Step 2. temporary spongy bone
Step 3. cartilaginous callus
Osteoblasts invade from
periosteum and deposit
temporary spongy bone.
Fibroblasts deposit a mass of
fibrocartilage “cartilaginous
callus”
&
Phagocytes remove hematoma
Osteoclasts remove bony debris

11. Step 4. bony callus
Step 5. bone remodeling
Osteoblasts replace the
cartilaginous callus with bone,
forming a bony callus
Osteoclasts remove excess
bone, remodeling the bone
the bone close to its original
shape.

12. Over time, osteoclasts outnumber osteoblasts, and
more bone is resorbed than can be deposited. Bone
mass decreases as a result.
Osteopenia “low bone mass”
• Progresses towards osteoporosis
Osteoporosis “porous bone”
• Bones develop spaces and canals
• Bones are fragile and easily broken
• Common in menopausal women
(from the low estrogen levels)
Bone loss is rapid in menopausal
women due to reduced estrogen

13. Ways to delay or prevent osteoporosis:
1. Exercise daily.
2. Consume enough calcium and
vitamin D every day.
3. Do not smoke.
End of Chapter 7,
Section 2