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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.