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An ultrastructural study of the role of calcification nodules in the mineralization of woven bone

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Summary

Osteolathyrism has been used as an experimental model for the study of calcification nodules during the mineralization process. Periosteal exostoses developing in osteolathyrism characteristically have spherical basophilic structures (calcification nodules) in the vicinity of developing bone spicules. In thin sections, the nodules were seen scattered between collagen fibers in the intercellular matrix. Collagen fibers did not appear to be present within the nodules but sometimes were packed just outside them. Matrix vesicles were also present in areas of early mineralization.

After EDTA decalcification, the majority of the nodules consisted of a fine granular material surrounded by an electron-dense peripheral zone. The peripheral dense zone was occasionally incomplete in small nodules in areas of early mineralization. An electron-dense central area could be observed in the center of the nodules.

Evidence has been presented indicating that the calcification nodules arise from smaller mineralization foci, presumably matrix vesicles. The calcification nodules enlarge to approximately 1.0 µm in size, at which point development is slowed or halted allowing the formation of the peripheral dense zone.

Although coalescence of nodules was observed, this was more a random event. The further mineralization of the trabeculae was achieved by the calcification of the collagen fibers. The mineralized trabeculae reflected this pattern of nodular and collagenous calcification. It is suggested that this pattern of calcification is characteristic of rapidly developing woven bone.

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Author notes

  1. Leon J. Martino

    Present address: Department of Anatomy, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, 12208, Albany, New York

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 63104, St. Louis, Missouri

    Leon J. Martino, Vernon L. Yeager & John J. Taylor

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  1. Leon J. Martino
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  2. Vernon L. Yeager
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  3. John J. Taylor
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Martino, L.J., Yeager, V.L. & Taylor, J.J. An ultrastructural study of the role of calcification nodules in the mineralization of woven bone. Calcif Tissue Int 27, 57–64 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02441162

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02441162

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