This file owns the dynamic biology of bone and cartilage: bone-cell coupling (RANKL/OPG/M-CSF, Wnt/sclerostin), the bone remodeling unit cycle, mineralization biochemistry (osteoid maturation, vitamin K-dependent γ-carboxylation, hydroxyapatite deposition), the four-hormone mineral-homeostasis axis (PTH, calcitriol, FGF-23, calcitonin), and cartilage matrix biology including the IHH/PTHrP feedback loop in the growth plate.
Prerequisites
MSK Anatomy, Histology, Embryology & Joint Biology (osteoblast/osteocyte/osteoclast lineage, cortical vs trabecular distribution, lamellar vs woven bone, type I collagen + hydroxyapatite as the bone-as-composite framework, growth plate zonal architecture, articular cartilage avascularity)Basic biochemistry (collagen synthesis, post-translational modifications, G-protein-coupled receptors)Basic endocrinology (steroid vs peptide hormone signaling)