Bone growth dynamics

Here's my cartoon version of the dynamics of bone growth at the epiphyseal plate which is the mechanism by which long bones grow in length, and an explanation of how bones grow in width. Note that growing in width requires a balance between new bone deposition and bone resorption, and that bone resorption normally occurs only on the internal (marrow cavity) surface of the diaphysis.

It's also important to be aware that in general bone deposition and resorption occur simultaneously on the inner surface of bone and these two activities are very tightly linked and regulated. Paget's disease is a condition in which these activities become unlinked and the result is dysmorphic and inappropriate bone growth in places, accompanied by bone thinning and excessive resorption in other places.


Bone dynamics: