Question

select all that are more likely to be found in an aging skeleton as compared to a young one.

Check All That Apply

• 1- Cranial bones are fused.

• 2- Articulating surfaces are smooth.

• 3- Bones are porous and brittle.

• 4- Bone spurs are found on articular surfaces.

Answer 1

The following feature will be found in an aging skeleton as compared to a young one 1. Cranial bones are fused. 3. bones are porous & brittle. 4. Bone spurs are found on articular surfaces

1.The cranial bones are the bone in the skull & almost all the joints seen between the cranial bones are sutures. Sutures are a type of immovable joints seen between cranial bones in which the two bones are connected by dense fibrous tissue known as sutural ligament. With increasing age these ligaments get calcifies the the joints will be obliterated & which in turn resuts in fusion of joints between cranial bones. The fusion of cranial bones usually happens after 25 years of age.

2. The articular surfaces are smooth in young individuals. The articular surface becomes uneven because of wear & tear of the articular cartilage lining the articular surfaces & is non regenerative. so with age the articular surface becomes pitted.

3. With increase in age the bones become porous & brittle.  During entire life there is continuous bone resorption(bone removal) & addition is happening & this process is known as bone remodeling. The bone resorption is done by cells known as osteoclast where as the bone adding is done by osteoblast. In a healthy & young individuals the bone remodeling happens in a balanced manner but with age the bone resorption will be more than the bone addition which results in osteeoporosis, a condition in which the bone density and quality is reduced. As bones become more porous and fragile, the risk of fracture also increases. The loss of bone occurs silently and progressively. The osteoporosis is more common in older females due to hormonal imbalances.

4. With increasing age bone spurs will be found on articular surfaces. Bone spurs are abnormal bony lumps that appear on the surface of joints that have suffered some degree of cartilage loss usually happen with age. With increase in age there will be wear & tear of the hyaline cartilage covering the articular surface & it is non regenerative. This is the main reasons for formation of bone spur & is more common in patients with osteoarthritis.