Abstract
Histological examination of undecalcified transilial bone biopsy specimens is a valuable and well-established clinical and research tool for studying the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of metabolic bone diseases. This chapter reviews the organization and function of bone cells and identifies a set of basic structural and kinetic histomorphometric variables. Remodeling occurs in cancellous and haversian (cortical) bone. Bone biopsy specimens are ordinarily obtained at the transiliac site and shipped to specialized laboratories for processing and microscopic analysis. The chapter outlines an approach to interpretation of findings, with examples from a range of metabolic bone diseases and describes the techniques for obtaining, processing, and analyzing transilial biopsy specimens. It also identifies the clinical situations in which bone histomorphometry can be useful; and relates histomorphometric measures to data from other methods for assessing bone properties and bone physiology.