Note severe loss of spongy bone and collapsed vertebrae.
Impression
Osteoporosis
Clinical Pathologic Correlation
Osteoporosis may occur as a primary disorder, but it
may be secondary to various disorders. However, when
the term osteoporosis is used without qualification, it
usually refers to the primary disease that affects elderly
and postmenopausal individuals. Bone loss, due mainly
to reduced bone formation, affects the elderly
of both sexes. In postmenopausal women, increased
bone resorption occurs in combination with decreased
bone formation. Factors that influence the development
of osteoporosis include genetic traits, hormones (e.g.
lack of estrogen), and diet (lack of calcium and vitamin
D).
Pathology Pointer
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bone mass is decreased with associated structural changes and increased bone fragility.
Preparation
Vertebrae after decalcification
View
Gross specimen
Specimen
Vertebrae
Image Credit
Katsumi M. Miyai, M.D., Ph.D
Department of Pathology
School of Medicine
University of California, San Diego
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