Osteoporosis

2. a commonly used nitrogen-containing bisphoshponate
5. a complex skeletal disease characterised by low bone density and micro-architectural defects in bone tissue, resulting in increased bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture
7. produced by osteoblasts and bind to RANKL to block its activity on osteoclasts
9. ligand released by osteoblasts which bind to osteoclast precursor cells and stimulate osteoclast maturation
10. a side effect of bisphosphonates, typically occurring in the jaw
12. bone resorption plays a critical role in the homeostasis of this physiologically important ion
13. cells that were previously osteoblasts which have now buried themselves within bone matrix and have large processes extending outwards
16. hormone that under physiological conditions, increases osteoclast activity but when given in low doses therapeutically can increase bone mass

1. a type of anti-inflammatory medicine used to treat a range of conditions but increases the risk of developing osteoporosis
3. multinucleated cells that absorb bone tissue during bone remodelling, formed by the fusion of many monocytes
4. class of drugs that mimics the structure of pyrophosphate which decrease osteoclast activity
6. fully differentiated mesenchymal stem cells that synthesis bone
8. a selective oestrogen receptor modulator that has a similar effect on bone as human oestrogen
11. class of drugs that have a similar structure to oestrogen and exert a similar role but are slightly more selective than oestrogen itself
14. type of bone that has a honeycomb-like appearance and is a high target area for bone remodelling
15. hormone released by the thyroid gland to inhibit osteoclast activity