osteoporosis

os·te·o·po·ro·sis

noun \ˌäs-tē-ō-pə-ˈrō-səs\

plural os·te·o·po·ro·ses\-ˌsēz\

Definition of OSTEOPOROSIS

: a condition that affects especially older women and is characterized by decrease in bone mass with decreased density and enlargement of bone spaces producing porosity and fragility

— os·te·o·po·rot·ic \-ˈrä-tik\ adjective

Origin of OSTEOPOROSIS

New Latin, from oste- + porosis rarefaction, from porus pore + -osis

First Known Use: 1846

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

os·teo·po·ro·sis

noun \ˌäs-tē-ō-pə-ˈrō-səs\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural ; os·teo·po·ro·ses \-ˌsēz\ (audio pronunciation)

Medical Definition of OSTEOPOROSIS

: a condition that affects especially older women and is characterized by decrease in bone mass with decreased density and enlargement of bone spaces producing porosity and brittleness

—os·teo·po·rot·ic \-ˈrät-ik\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

Illustration of OSTEOPOROSIS

osteoporosis

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Generalized loss of bone density, causing skeletal weakness. Around age 40, the rate of bone resorption in humans starts to exceed the rate of bone formation. Women experience accelerated bone loss after menopause, when the estrogen level decreases. When the amount of bone falls below a certain threshold, fractures occur with little or no trauma. Prevention begins with adequate calcium intake in youth, when bone mass is built, and then throughout life. Weight-bearing exercise and vitamin D are important at all ages. Medications can inhibit bone resorption or prevent bone loss in patients who are at risk for developing osteoporosis.