Orthopedics and Physiotherapy

Bone and Mineral Research

Bone consists of cells and a biphasic blend of mineral and matrix that coexist in a very exact relationship. The matrix consists of collagen and glycosaminoglycans, which are dimeric disaccharides. Both are products of the osteoblast. Calcium hydroxyapatite is the basic mineral crystal material in bone. Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells that secrete the matrix components described. Osteoclasts are those cells whose primary function is the degradation and removal of mineralized bone. It is important to remember that the osteoclasts can remove only mineralized bone, and not unmineralized matrix.