MRCP UK EXAMINATIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -An osteoclast (from Ancient Greek (osteon) ‘bone’, and (clastos) ‘broken’) is a type of bone cell that breaks down bone tissue. This function is critical in the maintenance, repair, and remodeling of bones of the vertebral skeleton.

Detailed explanation-2: -Osteoclasts are the cells that degrade bone to initiate normal bone remodeling and mediate bone loss in pathologic conditions by increasing their resorptive activity.

Detailed explanation-3: -Mineralized bone is first broken into fragments; the osteoclast then engulfs the fragments and digests them within cytoplasmic vacuoles. Calcium and phosphorus liberated by the breakdown of the mineralized bone are released into the bloodstream. Unmineralized bone (osteoid) is protected against osteoclastic resorption.

Detailed explanation-4: -It is considered to be a multifactorial disease potentially caused by genetic mutations, endocrine disorders, and nutritional deficiency. Hormones, such as estrogen, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and vitamin D, act to maintain the normal bone metabolism (23).