ABSTRACT
Woven bone is found in certain bone tumours, in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta and in patients with Paget’s disease. This chapter discusses all metabolic bone diseases, it should be quite apparent that skeletal disorders can affect any or all of the three major components of bone substance, that is bone cells, matrix or mineral. Numerous diseases target bone cells and there are primary and secondary collagen disorders which can affect the quality and quantity of bone matrix. Osteoporosis can thus be considered a disease in which there is uncoupling of resorption from formation, such that more bone is resorbed than formed. A panel from the National Institute of Health Consensus Conference defined osteoporosis as ‘a disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to enhanced bone fragility and a consequent increase in fracture risk’.
