Question 1: Fibrous dysplasia is a condition in which normal bone tissue is replaced with dense irregular connective tissue. Predict the consequences of this condition on bone health, and explain your reasoning.
Question 2: A carcinoma is a cancer of epithelium, and a sarcoma is a cancer of connective tissue. Are bone tumors carcinomas or sarcomas? Explain.
Question 3: The condition osteopetrosis is characterized by defective osteoclasts and a resulting decrease in osteoclast activity. This causes osteoblasts to lay down excessive bone with abnormal osteon structure. Interestingly, this disease increases the risk for fractures. Why do you think osteopetrosis would increase fracture risk?
Question 4: A common fracture seen in children is a fracture of the epiphyseal plate.
a) Why do you think the epiphyseal plate fractures more easily than other parts of a bone?
b) Some epiphyseal plate fractures are compression fractures, meaning the plate has been crushed. Predict the long-term potential consequences of such a fracture.