The Affects on Bone Structure
Puberty is a crucial period of development where your bone structure undergoes substantial transformations. The hormonal changes that occur during puberty play a significant role in shaping and strengthening the skeletal system.
During puberty, the long bones in the body go through a process called epiphyseal closure, where the growth plates at the end of the bones start to close and fuse. These growth plates are known as epiphyseal plates and are responsible for longitudinal bone growth.
The closer of growth plates during puberty signalizes the end of further growth of bone length.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Bone development and growth
The development and growth of bones occur from the interactions of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Osteoblasts are cells that form bones which are derived from mesenchymal system cells. Osteoclasts are large, multi-nucleated cells that resorb bones by dissolving minerals and releasing calcium and phosphorus into the extracellular fluid. During growth, bones go through the process of remodeling, where bones are continually reshaped by replacing and removing skeletal structures. This process involves corresponding increases in bone mineral mass and density.
Linear growth during adolescence involves the growth of cartilage at the end of plates of long bones, followed by the process of endochondral bone formation. Endochondral bone formation plays a crucial role in the increase in bone length during growth. Additionally, the width of the bones is increased through periosteal apposition, where new bones are added to the surface of the existing bone.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
FIGURE 1 Potential key factors of bone homeostasis and remodeling: the bone is modulated by nutrition and by physical activity.
​
Additionally, sex hormones are significant in regulating bone growth and remodeling. During puberty, two vital hormones, estrogen and testosterone, are released into your body. Estrogen plays a role in inhibiting bone breakdown by acting on both osteoclasts and osteoblasts, stimulating bone formation. It also promotes the deposition of calcium and other minerals in bones, which leads to increases in bone density. This helps strengthen bone structure and reduce the risk of fractures. Furthermore, testosterone is vital because it affects bone structure and stimulates muscle growth. Testosterone is also converted into estrogen in fat cells, and this estrogen is important for an individual's health.
In conclusion, puberty brings substantial changes in bone structure. The closure of growth plates and the influence of sex hormones are important factors in shaping and strengthening the skeletal system. It is also important to provide nutrients and encourage physical activities to support bone development.
Xu, Leiting, et al. “Bone and Muscle Development during Puberty in Girls: A Seven-Year Longitudinal Study.” Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, vol. 24, no. 10, Oct. 2009, pp. 1693–1698, https://doi.org/10.1359/jbmr.090405.
Shim, Kye Shik. “Pubertal Growth and Epiphyseal Fusion.” Annals of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism, vol. 20, no. 1, 2015, p. 8, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4397276/, https://doi.org/10.6065/apem.2015.20.1.8.
Levine, Michael A. “Assessing Bone Health in Children and Adolescents.” Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, vol. 16, no. Suppl 2, 2012, pp. S205-12, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3603027/, https://doi.org/10.4103/2230-8210.104040.
Office of the Surgeon General. “The Basics of Bone in Health and Disease.” Nih.gov, Office of the Surgeon General (US), 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK45504/.
​
​“Research | Ionescu Lab.” Ionesculab.sites.northeastern.edu, ionesculab.sites.northeastern.edu/research-2/.
