Bone tissue is a supporting tissue characterized by special mechanical properties, which consists of bone cells and a special intermediate substance. The composition of the intermediate substance includes collagen fibers (bone matrix) and various inorganic compounds. In addition, the bone tissue has a lacunar-canalicular system consisting of a network of microscopic lacunae and tubules and providing intraosseous metabolism.
There are three types of bone cells: osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and osteocytes. Osteoclasts are multinuclear large cells of monocytic origin, the size of which can reach 190 microns. These cells are involved in the resorption (destruction) of bones and cartilage. In the process of reparative and physiological regeneration of bone tissue, osteoclasts resorb it. The activity of osteoclasts directly depends on the amount of parathyroid hormone, the increased synthesis of which entails the activation of the function of osteoclasts, leading to bone destruction.
Osteoblasts are young polygonal cubic bone cells that lie in the surface layers of the bone and are surrounded by thin collagen microfibrils. The main function of osteoblasts is the synthesis of components of the intercellular substance - bone collagen, as well as the regulation of its mineralization.
Osteocytes are located in gaps and are mature spindle-shaped multi-process bone cells that regulate intraosseous metabolism.
There are two types of bone tissue: coarse fibrous and lamellar. In an adult, coarse fibrous bone tissue is located in the sutures of the skull and in the areas of attachment of bones to the tendons, contains amorphous matter and disordered thick bundles of collagen fibers. The lamellar bone tissue consists of bone plates 4-15 microns thick from osteocytes, the main substance and thin collagen fibers.
Bone tissue, like other organs of the human body, is prone to various inflammations and diseases. The causative agents of inflammation can be brought into it with a blood stream, i.e., by the hematogenous route, if the patient has a purulent focus. Inflammation of bone tissue is called osteomyelitis, the predisposing factors for the occurrence of which can be vitamin deficiency, trauma, overwork, cooling, etc. Depending on the intensity and speed of development of osteomyelitis, chronic, subacute and acute forms of this disease are distinguished.
The result of a prolonged inflammatory process of bone tissue is a blockage of blood vessels and circulatory disorders (thrombosis). Thus, bone tissue deprived of proper nutrition begins to die and collapse, as a result, necrosis (necrosis) and destruction of bone tissue occur. In addition, there is rejection of the dead parts of the bone and loss of connection with healthy bone tissue, the so-called sequestration is formed.
The main causes of osteomyelitis (inflammation of bone tissue) are pyogenic microbes: streptococci, staphylococci and pneumococci, as well as intestinal, typhoid bacilli and other microbes. Inflammatory diseases such as bone panaritium and bone tuberculosis are considered a type of osteomyelitis.
Treatment of osteomyelitis is to destroy the infection with antibiotics, which are selected individually depending on the type of bacteria. Taking antibiotics lasts about two months. The first days, the drugs are taken in the form of tablets, if after four days there is no improvement, drug administration continues intravenously or directly into the osteomyelitis foci.