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Osteoporosis
Related Terms
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alendronate:
A medication that slows bone loss; from a
class of drugs known as bisphosphonates. As Fosamax,
it has FDA approval for treating and preventing
osteoporosis in women. It is also approved for
treatment in men.
bisphosphonates:
A class of compounds, including alendronate and
risedronate, that slow bone resorption
bone:
organs composed of hard living tissue
providing structural support to the body and made mostly
of collagen and calcium
bone density:
The amount of calcium and minerals in the
bone tissue
bone mass:
The total amount of bone tissue in
the skeleton.
bone mineral
density (BMD) test: a test used to
diagnose osteoporosis. It detects bone loss even in its
early stages. The test can also be used to determine if
a person is at risk for fractures and can be used to
monitor increases in bone density as a result of
treatment.
calcitonin:
A naturally occurring hormone secreted by the
thyroid gland known to increase bone density. It can
also help relieve pain associated with fractures. It is
available in two forms: injection or nasal spray.
calcium:
A mineral that is the primary component of
hydroxyapatite. It is also vital to many physical
processes, including heart rate, blood pressure, muscle
contractions, the transmission of nerve signals, and the
regulation of internal organs.
cancellous bone:
also called trabecular bone; an inner spongy
structure that resembles a honeycomb. The inner bone
cavities contain bone marrow where red blood cells are
produced.
cartilage:
stretchy tissue that, as the body grows,
develops into bone. Remaining cartilage helps keep bones
flexible.
compact bone:
Very dense bone tissue that forms the outer
shell of bones and composes a large part of the long
bones of the arms, legs, and ribs. It is also called
cortical bone or lamellar bone.
compression
fracture: an injury to the spine in
which one or more vertebrae collapse. If the collapse is
only in the front part of the spine, it becomes wedge
shaped and is called a compression fracture or wedge
fracture. However, if the vertebral body is crushed in
all directions it is called a burst fracture.
cortical bone:
The outer layer of bone. Hard bone - the
dense outer covering of bone; also known as compact
cortical bone.
dorsal kyphosis:
An abnormal front-to-back curvature of the
mid-to-upper spine. It can result from compression
fractures of vertebrae and is commonly called dowager's
hump.
dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA):
A test in which
x-rays are used to measure bone density and produce an
image of the bone; the preferred means of osteoporosis
testing.
estrogen-replacement therapy (ERT):
Replacement of a woman's declining hormones with
estrogen alone; a measure to reduce osteoporosis risk in
women who have had hysterectomies.
fluoride:
Sodium fluoride is a compound that can
increase bone density and is under study for treating
osteoporosis.
glucocorticoid:
A class of hormones produced by the adrenal
gland and simulated by pharmaceutical preparations such
as prednisone.
growth factors:
Substances produced by the body that
stimulate tissue growth; some growth factors are under
investigation for use in preventing and treating
osteoporosis.
hormone-replacement therapy (HRT):
Augments a woman's depleted hormones with
estrogen alone or a combination of estrogen and
progestin or progesterone; a measure to reduce
osteoporosis risk in postmenopausal women.
hydroxyapatite:
The mature, hard, somewhat crystalline
mineral compounds in bone tissue.
hyperparathyroidism:
A condition in which the body produces
excessive amounts of parathyroid hormone (PTH),
disrupting the regulation of calcium. As a result,
calcium is taken from the bones; blood levels of calcium
rise; and increased amounts of calcium may be excreted
in urine.
kyphoplasty:
A minimally invasive procedure to alleviate
pain from vertebral compression fractures. An orthopedic
balloon is placed in the affected vertebra and inflated;
the resulting cavity is filled with bone cement in order
to stabilize the vertebral fracture.
kyphotic curve:
commonly called "humpback." A
telltale sign of advanced osteoporosis and the result of
the collapse of vertebrae in the thoracic spine. A
severe kyphotic curve can cause pain, tingling,
numbness, and weakness.
ossification:
the process of cartilage changing into hard
bone.
osteoblast:
a type of cell that form bone.
osteoclast:
a type of cell that break down bone.
osteocyte:
a cell within regions of adult bone involved
in the maintenance of bone.
osteomalacia:
also known as "adult rickets." A condition in
which bones become soft as a result of a Vitamin D
deficiency.
osteopenia:
a condition in which there is a decrease in bone
density but not necessarily an increase in the risk or
incidence of fracture.
osteoporosis:
a condition in which there is a decrease in
bone mass and bone density and an increased risk and/or
incidence of fracture. Peak bone mass - the maximum
amount of bone a person can achieve during skeletal
growth.
osteoprotegerin
(OPG): a protein found naturally in
the body that reduces the production of osteoclasts. It
is under investigation as a potential osteoporosis
treatment.
parathyroid
hormone (PTH): A hormone that prevents
the level of blood calcium from going too low and can
stimulate the breakdown of bone. When given
intermittently, it can increase bone mass.
peak bone mass:
The greatest amount of bone tissue
that a person has during his or her life; typically
reached by age 30.
periosteum:
a fibrous membrane that covers the outside of
bone.
phytoestrogens:
plant compounds that have
estrogen-like effects. They are being studied as a
treatment for osteoporosis.
postmenopausal
osteoporosis: bone loss resulting from
the deficiency of estrogen associated with menopause;
also known as Type 1 osteoporosis.
progestin:
a synthetic progesterone.
progesterone:
a natural hormone. It (or its synthetic cousin,
progestin) is often added to estrogen treatments to
reduce the woman's risk for endometrial cancer.
primary osteoporosis:
bone loss that doesn't result from an
identifiable pathological process.
raloxifene:
a selective estrogen receptor modulator
(SERM) that slows bone loss. Under the brand name
Evista, it has been approved by the FDA for use in the
prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
risedronate:
a medication that slows bone loss; from a
class of drugs known as bisphosphonates. The FDA has
approved the brand-name drug, Actonel, for the
prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
remodeling:
the body's mechanism for systematically
removing old bone tissue and replacing it with new bone
to preserve the strength of the skeleton.
resorption:
the removal of bone tissue -- both protein
and mineral salts -- by osteoclasts.
selective
estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs):
medications that are designed to deliver the benefits of
estrogen without its negative side effects. SERMs
include raloxifene and tamoxifen.
secondary osteoporosis:
bone loss associated with an identifiable
medical condition, treatment with certain drugs, or
immobility.
statins:
medications that are commonly used to reduce
cholesterol levels; they have recently been shown to
reduce the risk of fractures. They are under
investigation for use in treating osteoporosis.
Skeletal system:
the rigid framework of bones in the
body that supports soft tissues and protects internal
organs.
Spinal column:
also called the vertebral column; extends
from the skull to the pelvis and is made up of 33
individual bones called vertebrae. The spinal column is
divided into four regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar,
and sacral.
trabecular bone:
bone tissue arranged in a meshwork of
thin plates or beams that is commonly found at the
center of long bones and that composes a large part of
the hip and vertebrae; also called cancellous bone or
spongy bone.
type 1 osteoporosis:
primary osteoporosis in which bone loss is
due to the estrogen decline associated with menopause.
type 2 osteoporosis:
primary osteoporosis in which bone loss is
due to aging.
Vertebrae:
Any one of the 33 bony segments of the spinal
column.
Vertebroplasty:
A new procedure used to treat compression
fractures that utilizes orthopedic cement, which is
injected into the space between the vertebrae. The
cement hardens and returns the vertebral space to its
original height.
vitamin D:
A hormone that plays a key role in ensuring
the absorption of calcium from the intestines. |
