2.1 Bone metabolism and structure

Healthy bones provide:

  • a strong skeletal structure but to allow efficient movement, weight is minimised
  • a site for haematopoiesis (the production of blood cells by the bone marrow)
  • a reservoir of calcium

Bone is not a single structure, but has 2 subtypes

Described image

Cortical bone

Cortical bone is dense, made of smooth layers of bone tissue and nourished by blood vessels.

Trabecular bone

Trabecular bone consists of a honeycomb-like network of interconnecting bone tissue, interspersed with spaces filled with bone marrow.

2 Understanding osteoporosis in Parkinson’s

2.1.1 Bone anatomy