[Recent concepts of the organization and structure of human trabecular bone--results of combined 2- and 3-dimensional analysis].

Every loss of bone mass caused by dysfunction of the endocrine glands and mechanically, respectively, is accompanied by changes of the bone structure. For the pathogenetic mechanisms which in man lead to the abolition of the bone structure in osteoporosis the knowledge of the physiological principles of construction is a basic prerequisite. Hitherto performed studies have shown that with the help of two-dimensional section-cuttings a tridimensional reconstruction is either not possible or can be carried out only by means of serial sections and extensive computer procedures in circumscribed parts. For the analysis of the tridimensional structure of the spongiosa a new method of preparation was developed, which renders possible the simultaneous two-dimensional and tridimensional evaluation of the bone tissue. Seven spinal columns of deceased without disease of the skeleton (donors of organs) between the second and seventh decade of life were evaluated from the dens to the fifth body of the lumbar vertebra. Before the fifth decade of life numerous plate-like structures are existing which in form of intermittent wall carriers lead to a stabilization of the vertebral bodies. With growing age a transformation into rod-shaped trabeculae takes place. This change of structure takes place by large perforations within these plates. Additionally, after the fifth decade of life formations of microcallus occur in a size not known up to now. Apparently an additional process of reparation is existing which shows falsely positive results, when using non-invasive techniques. The results demonstrate the occurrence of perforations with growing age and fundamental changes of the structure of the spongiosa.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)