Osteoid

Last revised by Yuranga Weerakkody on 26 Aug 2010

Osteoid is a protein mixture secreted by osteoblasts that forms the organic matrix of bone. Bone is formed when osteoid mineralizes.

Osteoid is important in several disease processes:

  • failure of osteoid to mineralize leads to osteomalacia in adults and rickets in children.
    • focal accumulations of osteoid can lead to Milkman's pseudofractures, which are suggestive of osteomalacia.
    • linear accumulations of osteoid may build perpendicular to the cortical margin and appear as Looser's zones or pseudofractures.
  • osteoid osteoma is composed of osteoid and woven bone, both of which can be seen as interconnected trabeculae, sheets, or isolated islands.

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