Background

Bone is a living tissue;

• It is made up of cells that produce a hard crystalline lattice of mineral salts, mainly calcium phosphate.
• Bones are not static, but are constantly being renewed by a process of bone resorption and reformation.
• Due to their structure, bones can bear large amounts of weight.
• Bones grow rapidly during childhood and adolescence, when bone density is progressively increased.
• Maximum density is reached when the person has reached their 30’s.
• Bones are rigid, but they are able to bend slightly when an outside force is applied to them. If the outside force exceeds the bones’ breaking point then a fracture will occur.
• In addition to its mineral structure, bone also has a blood and nerve supply. This explains why fractured bones are painful, and result in bruising or more significant blood loss.