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The Dog's Internal Anatomy: Part 1 - Skeletal-Part2

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...... nutrients, and so on.

Bone Growth

I will talk about growth of long bones, which grow differently than the skull. I am focusing on a dog's legs because this is what we are concerned with here. I want to teach you about your dog's vulnerable structures when it comes to leg and joint problems common in dogs.

Long bones grow by first forming a cartilage base. Remember, that bone is made up of a protein called collagen. Ossification then occurs, that is, minerals bind to the cartilage, forming actual bone. The ossification process is what forms skeletal bone as we know it.

The ends of long bones are where growth occurs. Epiphyses or epiphyseal plates are formed at the ends of the shaft of long bones. These plates separate the ends from the rest of the shaft of the bone.

Growth occurs as long as the plates are present. Once the plates are closed, growth stops and the newly formed bone length is now part of the shaft of the bone. Hormones regulate the growth in width of the bone.

While bone growth is taking place, these areas of soft bone are vulnerable to injury, especially in the carpal (wrist) and stifle (knee).

Bone Formation and Resorption
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Just because bones stop growing does not mean they become inactive. Far from it. Remember how blood and nutrients are transported to both types of bone' These systems are always present in bone.

Old bone does get constantly replaced and new bone formed, but the length of the bone will not change. This process is called resorption and formation. Resorption refers to the process of removal of old bone cells and re-assimilating them into the body. Formation, of course, refers to the process of forming new bone cells.

Bone marrow forms the cells that are responsible for the resorption and formation process. The cells that are responsible for eroding and resorbing old bone cells are called osteoclasts. The cells that are responsible for forming new bone cells are called osteoblasts.

Osteoblasts secrete collagen and other proteins, and various other substances to form bone. These cells eventually turn into Osteocytes. Remember these' Osteocytes are the cells that make up compact bone. Do you see how this works now'
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Conclusion

I have tried to explain the skeletal structure of a dog in a way that you will understand it and have more knowledge in this area. I hope that I have succeeded. There is so much that occurs in your dog's system that this is just barely the tip of the iceberg.

This information is crucial to understanding why it is so important to never let your dog, young or old, jump to and from high places, or otherwise place great stresses on their bodies.

While the proteins and minerals that make up bone are unbelievably strong, damage can occur.

Injuries can slow or impede the natural processes in their body to repair themselves. Some injuries may go unnoticed and not come up until later years. By then, it is too late. Please regulate your dog's play and activities. For more information on keeping your dog healthy and feeling youthful, please visit the Pet Care 4 Our Animals website.

About the Author

Richard Delgado brings his 15 years of pet care experience to the internet community to teach all dog lovers to properly care for their dogs. His current website Pet Care 4 Our Animals at http://www.4ouranimals.com

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