osteoporosis

[os-tee-oh-puh-roh-sis]

noun

Pathology.

1. a disorder in which the bones become increasingly porous, brittle, and subject to fracture, owing to loss of calcium and other mineral components, sometimes resulting in pain, decreased height, and skeletal deformities: common in older persons, primarily postmenopausal women, but also associated with long-term steroid therapy and certain endocrine disorders.

osteoporosis

/ ˌɒstɪəʊpɔːˈrəʊsɪs /

noun

1. porosity and brittleness of the bones due to loss of calcium from the bone matrix

osteoporosis

1. A bone disease characterized by decrease in bone mass and density, resulting in a predisposition to fractures and bone deformities such as the collapse of one or more vertebrae. It occurs most commonly in women after menopause as a result of estrogen deficiency. Calcium supplementation and weight-bearing exercise are used to treat and prevent osteoporosis.

osteoporosis

1. A softening of the bones that gradually increases and makes them more fragile. It is caused by the gradual loss of the mineral calcium, which helps make bones hard. Osteoporosis occurs most often in elderly women.

Many experts now believe that osteoporosis can be prevented through regular exercise, mineral supplements, and a diet high in calcium.

Other Word Forms

• osteoporotic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of osteoporosis¹

First recorded in 1840–50; osteo- + Greek pór(os) “passage” ( pore ² ) + -osis

Word History and Origins

Origin of osteoporosis¹

C19: from _osteo- + _pore ² + _-osis

Example Sentences

Among the various types of fractures caused by osteoporosis, compression fractures of the spine, known as osteoporotic vertebral fractures, are the most common.

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HRT can also help prevent osteoporosis, a leading cause of disability and death in older women.

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He has told people that gene-editing technology could produce children who are less prone to heart disease, with lower cholesterol and stronger bones to prevent osteoporosis.

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Conditions such as osteoporosis and arthritis can lead to weakened muscles, fragile bones and unstable joints as well as balance issues.

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About 20 percent of women over 70 live with osteoporosis, and calcium is widely advised to help prevent bone fractures.

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