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Softening of bone, particularly in the sense of bone weakened by demineralization (the loss of mineral) and most notably by the depletion of calcium from bone. Osteomalacia may be caused by poor dietary intake or poor absorption of calcium and other minerals needed to harden bones. Osteomalacia is a characteristic feature of vitamin D deficiency in adults. The treatment of…

Pertaining to the dissolution of bone, especially the loss of calcium from bone. “Punched-out” osteolytic lesions are characteristic of metastatic lung and breast cancer and multiple myeloma.

A group of inherited connective tissue diseases, all of which result from mutations that affect collagen in connective tissue in the body, and all of which result in fragile bones. The best known types of osteogenesis imperfecta are types I and II. Also known as brittle bone disease.

The production of bone.

A bone disorder that adversely affects bone growth.

The surgical destruction of bone tissue. Osteoclasis is performed to reconstruct a bone that is malformed, often a broken bone that healed improperly. The bone is broken and then reshaped with the aid of metal pins, casting, and bracing.

Destruction and reabsorption of bone tissue, as occurs when broken bones heal.

An abnormal, solitary, benign growth of bone and cartilage, typically at the end of a long bone. Osteochondromas are usually discovered in persons 15 to 25 years of age and are the most common benign bone tumor. An osteochondroma is typically detected when the area around it is injured or when it becomes large.

A cell that makes bone. It does so by producing a matrix that then becomes mineralized. Bone mass is maintained by a balance between the activity of osteoblasts that form bone and other cells called osteoclasts that break it down.

Any disease of the bones and joints. From osteo-, bone + -arthro-, joint, + pathy, disease.