Final answer:
Osteoporosis is an age-related bone disorder characterized by decreased bone density, leading to brittle bones and increased risk of fractures, especially in the femur, vertebrae, and wrist. Thoracic vertebrae affected by osteoporosis can cause kyphosis due to collapse. It is important to distinguish osteoporosis from diseases like Paget's disease in diagnosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Osteoporosis and Skeletal System Degeneration
Osteoporosis is a bone disorder that primarily affects older adults, leading to decreased bone density and increased brittleness. This imbalance between bone resorption and formation can result in various complications such as fractures of the femur, vertebrate, and wrist. When osteoporosis affects the thoracic vertebrae, it can cause kyphosis – an excessive curvature of the thoracic region of the spine - as the vertebrae may collapse gradually due to the weakness. Additionally, fractures associated with osteoporosis can have serious consequences such as immobility, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and pneumonia, especially among the elderly.
Bone tissue reduction in osteoporosis is characterized by a decrease in both the thickness of compact bone and the number and size of trabeculae in cancellous bone. Genetic and environmental factors, including diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise, play a role in the development of this condition. Unlike Paget's disease, osteoporosis does not lead to elevated blood levels of alkaline phosphatase. It is crucial for physicians to distinguish between these conditions when diagnosing patients with bone density issues.
The apophyseal joints, or facet joints, may also undergo degenerative changes, contributing to the overall skeletal degeneration seen in osteoporosis. This can lead to pain and reduced mobility in the affected individuals.