Abstract

We examined the bones of 3 people in various stages of industrial fluorosis. Scan microscopic studies were conducted on the periosteal surface and the fracture surfaces of ribs, tibia and vault of the cranium. In the mild form of fluorosis, we found slight swelling and impregnation with globular and crystalline material in the periosteal collagenous fibers. The impregnation and swelling increases and, in severe cases of fluorosis, an irregular orientation of abnormal fine fibers and thick deposits on the bone surfaces occurs. The radiating fibers of muscle and tendon insertions were apparently mineralized first. Atypia of the bone collagen was found which involved the collagenous fibers, the basic substance and their mineralization as well as the ossification process itself. The scan microscopic findings were compared with the normal histology for fluorosis and discussed.

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