General Outlines of Bone Tissue Metabolism

Abstract

Bones are organized on two levels: as organs and as a tissue. As organs, they are particular elements of the skeleton adapted to withstand stresses; as a tissue, they form a highly specialized connective tissue composed of cells embedded in an interstitial substance, which includes the organic framework or matrix and the mineral. A brief account of what is known about the molecular structure and metabolism of the major parts of bone—cells, organic matrix and inorganic salts—seems advisable.