Basic physiologic remodeling of bone takes place in a biologically coupled system of activation, resorption, and formation (ARF). Histomorphologically, the process starts in cortical bone as a cutting cone, consisting of a group of osteoclasts, digs a tunnel with a breakdown of 20 μm per day with a simultaneous increase in diameter of the tunnel in magnitude of 5 μm per day until a width of approximately 100 μm in radius is reached.
The continual process of bone breakdown (resorption) and formation (deposition of new bone).
The process in which bone is resorbed and new bone formed at the same site. This process keeps the calcium content of bone stable. Bone is a dynamic tissue: it responds continuously to mechanical stress, nutritional status, hormones, and concentrations of circulating calcium.