Question

List the general effects of aging on the three major musculoskeletal system components.

What is the primary clinical manifestation of metastatic bone cancer

Answer 1

Major components of musculoskeletal system

• Bone
• Muscles
• Joints,cartlages,ligments,tendons

Effects of age on major components of musculoskeletal system

• Decrease in bone density due to increase in osteoclasts activity which digest bone relese calcium(Osteoporosis).
• In muscle aging causes Reduction in number and size of muscle fibers,Replacement of normal muscle fibers with collagen rich non-contractile fibers,decreased muscle tone
• Vertebra particularly vulnerable to Osteoporosis develops microfractures resulting in collapsing under weight.This contibutes the stooping curvature of spine often seen in old age.
• Degeneration of articular cartilages (Osteoarthritis).

Primary manifestation of metastatic bone cancer is "Pain" of affected bone, which gradually increases,pathological fractures of bones.

• Bone is most common site of metastasis in cancer and particular in case of Breast cancer and Prostate cancer.