Work

Mechanical loading history and skeletal biology

Year: 1987

Type: review

Abstract: A comprehensive theory which relates tissue mechanical stresses to many features of skeletal morphogenesis, growth, regeneration, maintenance and degeneration is reviewed. The theory considers the repeated or intermittent mechanical forces which constitute the loading history on the chondro-osseous skeleton. The results of numerous mechanical stress analyses indicate that the local tissue stress history plays a major role in controlling connective tissue biology. The strong influence of mechanical energy in ontogenesis implies a comparably strong influence in phylogenesis. The fact that the mechanical stress histories in skeletal tissues are directly related to the force of gravity suggests that the life forms that have evolved on Earth are closely tied to our gravitational field.

Source: Journal of Biomechanics

DOI: 10.1016/0021-9290(87)90027-3

Author: Dennis R. Carter

Institutions: United States Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Stanford Medicine, Stanford University

Language: English

Topic: Cellular Mechanics and Interactions

Subfield: Cell Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,650

Funder: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases