OSTEOLYSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Osteolysis is a medical term that refers to the destruction or breakdown of bone tissue. It is a pathological process where bone loss occurs due to the increased activity of osteoclasts, which are specialized cells responsible for breaking down and reabsorbing old or damaged bone.
The term is derived from two Greek words: "osteo" meaning bone, and "lysis" meaning destruction. Osteolysis can happen for various reasons, including certain diseases, infections, or as a side effect of certain medical treatments or interventions.
One common cause of osteolysis is bone metastasis, which occurs when cancer cells spread to the bones from their primary site of origin. The cancer cells disrupt normal bone remodeling, leading to the destruction of bone tissue. This can result in pain, fractures, and other complications.
Osteolysis can also be seen in inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints and causes bone erosion. Prosthetic loosening, as seen in failed joint replacements, can also result in osteolysis as the body reacts to the presence of foreign material.
The diagnosis of osteolysis is typically made through imaging studies such as X-rays or CT scans, which can show areas of bone loss or erosion. Treatment for osteolysis depends on the underlying cause and may involve addressing the primary disease, managing symptoms, or surgical intervention to repair or stabilize the affected bone.
Overall, osteolysis is a progressive process that involves the destruction of bone tissue and can have significant implications for a person's musculoskeletal health and quality of life.
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Osteoclasia (2), softening and absorption of bone substance, ossifluence.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for OSTEOLYSIS
- isteolysis
- ksteolysis
- lsteolysis
- psteolysis
- 0steolysis
- 9steolysis
- oateolysis
- ozteolysis
- oxteolysis
- odteolysis
- oeteolysis
- owteolysis
- osreolysis
- osfeolysis
- osgeolysis
- osyeolysis
- os6eolysis
- os5eolysis
- ostwolysis
- osteolysois
Etymology of OSTEOLYSIS
The word "osteolysis" is derived from two Greek roots: "osteo" and "lysis".
1. "Osteo" (ὀστέο) comes from the Greek "osteon" (ὀστέον) meaning "bone". This root is also seen in other medical terms related to bones, such as "osteoporosis" (porous bones) and "osteotomy" (bone cutting).
2. "Lysis" (λύσις) is a Greek root meaning "loosening" or "dissolution". It is derived from the verb "luo" (λύω) which means "to loosen" or "to dissolve".
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