ACTIVITIES OF BONE CELLS

¹ The Pathological Laboratory of the University of Maryland

The conditions described indicate that bone under pathologic conditions may act like any other tissue. There is a reversion of its various constituents to an embryonal condition and a remodelling of the bone in ways suitable to the change in its circulation and chemistry. There is a coincident reversion of bone cell and marrow cell to the embryonal state. New bone and new connective tissue result therefrom. The most important factor in bone-cell renewed activity is passive hyperemia and edema. [See Picture in Source Pdf.]

Edema dissolves the salts, softens the bone matrix, and is instrumental in the enlargement and confluence of lacunae. The bone cell is released before it again becomes active. The bone cells, notably those at the margins of cancelli, enlarge, divide, and are now free in the marrow. They form a part of the marrow as possible bone formers. They are seen as a syncytium or as cell masses resembling callus, and grade off into new bone.

All of these observations on the activity of the bone cell were from bone of individuals beyond the age of active bone growth.

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