Osteoporosis

2. ligand released by osteoblasts which bind to osteoclast precursor cells and stimulate osteoclast maturation
6. a type of anti-inflammatory medicine used to treat a range of conditions but increases the risk of developing osteoporosis
10. 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
12. a selective oestrogen receptor modulator that has a similar effect on bone as human oestrogen
13. a commonly used nitrogen-containing bisphoshponate
14. bone resorption plays a critical role in the homeostasis of this physiologically important ion
16. class of drugs that mimics the structure of pyrophosphate which decrease osteoclast activity

1. type of bone that has a honeycomb-like appearance and is a high target area for bone remodelling
3. hormone released by the thyroid gland to inhibit osteoclast activity
4. a side effect of bisphosphonates, typically occurring in the jaw
5. class of drugs that have a similar structure to oestrogen and exert a similar role but are slightly more selective than oestrogen itself
7. produced by osteoblasts and bind to RANKL to block its activity on osteoclasts
8. multinucleated cells that absorb bone tissue during bone remodelling, formed by the fusion of many monocytes
9. cells that were previously osteoblasts which have now buried themselves within bone matrix and have large processes extending outwards
11. fully differentiated mesenchymal stem cells that synthesis bone
15. hormone that under physiological conditions, increases osteoclast activity but when given in low doses therapeutically can increase bone mass