Notes on Osteopenia and Aging Skeletal Tissue:

Definition of Osteopenia:

• Inadequate ossification of bones, a normal part of aging.

• Affects everyone to some extent.

Onset and Process:

• Begins between ages 30 and 40.

• Osteoblast activity (bone formation) declines.

• Osteoclast activity (bone breakdown) remains unchanged.

Bone Mass Loss by Gender:

• Women lose ~8% of skeletal mass per decade.

• Men lose ~3% of skeletal mass per decade.

Areas Most Affected:

• Epiphyses (ends of long bones).

• Vertebrae (spinal bones).

• Jaws (affecting teeth and facial structure).

Consequences:

• Fragile limbs.

• Reduction in height.

• Tooth