Bone decalcification can refer to the depletion of calcium in bones due to lack of nutrients or intentional removal for examination. Lack of calcium can result in weak bones, fractures, and diseases like osteoporosis. Elderly people are more prone to bone decalcification. In laboratories, bones are decalcified to soften them for microscopic examination using chelated or acidic solutions. The process is extensive and labor-intensive, and over-decalcification can render the bone useless.
Bone decalcification is a term used in the medical field, but it can refer to two different things. One meaning refers to the process in which bones are drained of calcium due to lack of nutrients and insufficient diet, resulting in fractures and bone disease. The other meaning of bone decalcification refers to the process in which calcium is intentionally removed from an extracted bone in order for the bone to be properly examined.
In the first sense of the term, decalcification of bones often occurs when the body does not have enough calcium in it. The bones of the body can be seen as the “calcium bank” and whenever some organ or part of the body lacks calcium, the body “borrows” calcium from the bones, which are then depleted of calcium. Decalcified bones will often look weak, containing many enlarged pores similar to those of a sponge, as there is not enough calcium to fill the holes. Even weak bones will weigh less and may not be able to support the body properly.
Among the general population, the elderly or elderly are more likely to experience bone decalcification, due to the natural aging process. For this reason, many of them have a twisted back or have difficulty walking, two obvious signs of bone decalcification. This can result in osteoporosis, rickets and serious fractures where healing time is prolonged. To prevent further damage, a consistent supply of calcium in your diet, along with calcium supplement pills, is very important. Some foods rich in calcium are milk, broccoli and sardines.
The second use of the term “bone decalcification” is often made in histological laboratories, where analysts take a microscopic sample of a bone to examine it thoroughly. Calcium generally makes bones strong and hard, making it difficult to cut out a microscopic “section” of bone; therefore, the bone undergoes decalcification to soften it. The bones are usually soaked in a solution that removes calcium from the bones, a process that can take weeks or months, depending on how big the bones are. Two solutions are usually used, one of chelating agents and one of an acid solution.
A chelated solution usually absorbs metallic elements, such as calcium, from bones, while an acidic solution dissolves and corrodes the calcium. The most commonly used solution is the chelated one, called ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The decalcification procedure is not only extensive, but can also be labor intensive, as it may involve rinsing the bone and changing the solution on a daily basis. It is important that the bone is not overly decalcified, otherwise the bone will be rendered useless.
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