What are irregular bones?
Bones are a form of extremely specialized connective tissue, consisting of a mix of a dense organic matrix and inorganic mineral component. They are characterized by their hardness and mechanical resistance. Bones are segments of varying shape, size and density, all of which constitute to form the skeletal system.
The surface of the bone is covered by the periosteum, a membrane connecting the processes responsible for bone growth and callus formation in fractures. The compact bone (or cortical), which is a layer of dense bone, is located below the periosteum; and underneath the compact bone, is the location of the spongy bone (or trabecular), which contains bone marrow responsible for the production of blood cells.
Depending on their shape formations, bones can be divided into long bones, flat bones, short bones and irregular bones. Long bones develop mainly in length (such as the femur, tibia, fibula, radius, ulna, humerus); flat bones are characterized by having higher length and width than thickness (such as bones of the skull, shoulder blades, sternum); short bones are developed in a similar way in all three dimensions (such as the carpus and tarsus); and irregular bones are characterized by not having any dominant morphological element (such as in the case of the vertebrae). Under normal circumstances, bones stop growing when an individual has reached late teens or early twenties.
Irregular bones are bones which serve various purposes in the body, such as protecting the nerve tissue and maintaining pharynx and trachea support. They are classified as neither long, nor short nor flat and fall into the group of vertebrae and hip bone (also called coaxiale bone).ì
Conditions that can afflict the irregular bones include infection, trauma, fracture, osteoporosis and osteomyelitis.Osteoporosis is a disease that typically affects elder individuals. This condition involves weakening and thinning of the bones due to calcium depletion and may cause symptoms such as joint and muscle aches. Osteomyelitis refers to a condition involving bone inflammation caused by bacteria. The inflammation tends to originate from another area of the body and is transported to the bone by blood flow. Common symptoms may include bone swelling, fever, muscle spasms, pain and local redness. In any case, seeking proper medical assistance is essential in determining the most appropriate form of treatment and preventing further complications from arising.
Calcium is an extremely important feature in an individual’s diet. Calcium intake is stored in the bones as a sort of mineral deposit, which in turn helps build stronger and healthier bones. Without calcium, the body would draw on the calcium in the bones (demineralization), in turn causing them to become weak and less dense.
What function do irregular bones serve?
Irregular bones perform different functions in the human body:
- By interacting with the muscles and tendons, they allow movement of the back and pelvis.
- Like all the other bones, irregular bones are spares and storage of minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium and magnesium, essential for regulating many physiological mechanisms.
- They play a fundamental function in providing stability and support of the body (such as the importance of the vertebrae, which forms the spine).
