Glossary

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
A branch of the U.S. Government's Department of Labor which sets and enforces standards of workplace safety.
OFELY
A prospective study of the bone loss determinants in women aged 30–95 yrs.
Osteoarthritis
Also called degenerative joint disease or osteoarthrosis. The most common type of arthritis, usually among older people, that affects only joint function and does not affect skin tissue, the lungs, eyes, or blood vessels.
Osteoblast
Bone-forming cell of the skeleton. Active vitamin D (calcitriol) regulates osteoblastic cell proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of its extracellular matrix.
Osteoclastic resorption (bone resorption)
The opposite of bone formation. Involves hydrolysis of collagen and the dissolution of bone mineral by large multinucleated cells called osteoclasts.
Osteomalacia
Pain, weakness, and fragility of the bones due to defective bone mineralisation. Generally caused by vitamin D deficiency.
Osteopenia
A condition of decreased calcification or density of bone that has several risk factors, including low dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D and declining levels of estrogen after menopause. Having osteopenia increases one's risk for developing osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis
A disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. If not prevented or left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks—usually in the hip, spine, or wrist. Women are four times as likely than men to develop osteoporosis.