Bones Provide the Structure for Our Bodies

The adult human skeleton is made up of 206 bones. These include the bones of the skull, spine (vertebrae), ribs, arms, hands, legs, and feet. Bones are made of strong connective tissue reinforced with minerals like calcium and phosphorus. Most bones also contain bone marrow, the soft tissue where blood cells are made.

In Grand Rapids, Michigan, maintaining healthy bones is especially important. Long, icy winters increase the risk of slips and falls, and reduced sunlight can make it harder to get enough vitamin D—both of which can affect bone health. Local healthcare systems such as Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health all provide orthopedic and bone health services for residents.

The Musculoskeletal System

Your bones, muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments together form the musculoskeletal system. This system:

  • Supports and shapes the body
  • Protects delicate internal organs such as the brain, heart, and lungs
  • Works with muscles to allow movement and physical activity
  • Stores important minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus

Bones contain most of the body’s calcium supply. Throughout your life, your body is constantly building up and breaking down bone tissue in a process called remodeling. This helps repair small areas of damage and keeps bones strong.

The Human Skeleton: Main Bone Groups

The human skeleton is organized into major regions:

  • Skull – including the jaw bone (mandible); protects the brain and forms the face
  • Spine (vertebral column) – cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae, plus the sacrum and coccyx (tailbone); supports the body and protects the spinal cord
  • Chest – ribs and breastbone (sternum); protect the heart and lungs
  • Arms – shoulder blade (scapula), collar bone (clavicle), upper arm bone (humerus), and forearm bones (radius and ulna)
  • Hands – wrist bones (carpals), metacarpals, and finger bones (phalanges)
  • Pelvis – hip bones; support the spine and connect the upper and lower body
  • Legs – thigh bone (femur), kneecap (patella), shin bone (tibia), and fibula

These bones work together to allow activities common in West Michigan life—walking downtown Grand Rapids, biking the White Pine Trail, shoveling snow, or enjoying water sports on nearby lakes.

Types of Bones in the Human Body

There are four main types of bones:

Long Bones

  • Shape: Long and thin
  • Examples: Femur (thigh bone), humerus (upper arm), radius and ulna (forearm), tibia and fibula (lower leg)
  • Function: With the help of muscles, long bones act as levers to allow movement such as walking, running, and lifting.

Short Bones

  • Shape: Squat and cube-shaped
  • Examples: Bones of the wrists (carpals) and ankles (tarsals)
  • Function: Provide stability and support with limited movement.

Flat Bones

  • Shape: Thin, flattened, often curved
  • Examples: Ribs, shoulder blades (scapulae), breastbone (sternum), and many skull bones
  • Function: Protect internal organs and provide broad surfaces for muscle attachment.

Irregular Bones

  • Shape: Do not fit into the other categories
  • Examples: Vertebrae (spine bones), some facial bones
  • Function: Often protect nervous tissue and provide anchor points for muscle attachment.

Layers and Tissues Inside Bone

Each bone has several layers of tissue:

  • Periosteum – A dense, tough outer membrane containing blood vessels and nerves. It nourishes the bone and helps with repair.
  • Compact (dense) bone – The hard, smooth outer layer that gives strength and protects the inner tissues.
  • Spongy (cancellous) bone – A porous, honeycomb-like tissue inside many bones. It makes bones strong yet lightweight.
  • Bone marrow – The soft, jelly-like tissue found in the cavities of some bones, such as the pelvis, breastbone, and thigh bones.

Bone Marrow: Where Blood Cells Are Made

Bone marrow is essential for producing blood cells. There are three main types of blood cells made in the bone marrow:

  • Red blood cells (erythrocytes) – Carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
  • White blood cells (leukocytes) – Form a key part of the immune system and help fight infection.
  • Platelets (thrombocytes) – Help the blood to clot and stop bleeding after injury.

In Grand Rapids, conditions that affect bone marrow—such as leukemia or multiple myeloma—are typically managed by specialists at major hospitals like Spectrum Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids, often in collaboration with local cancer centers.

Bone Cells and Bone Remodeling

Your bones are living tissue. They are constantly being renewed and repaired through a process called remodeling. As a result, each bone in your body is essentially rebuilt about every 10 years. Three main types of bone cells control this process:

  • Osteoblasts – Build new bone tissue by forming new bone matrix and helping deposit minerals like calcium.
  • Osteocytes – Mature bone cells that help maintain bone tissue and regulate mineral content.
  • Osteoclasts – Break down old or damaged bone tissue so it can be replaced with new bone.

This balance between building and breaking down bone is influenced by nutrition, physical activity, hormones, and overall health.

What Affects Bone Density?

Bone density refers to how much mineral (mainly calcium) is packed into your bones. Higher bone density generally means stronger bones and a lower risk of fractures.

Key factors that support healthy bone density include:

  • Dietary calcium

    • Sources: Dairy products, fortified plant milks, leafy green vegetables, canned fish with bones, calcium-fortified foods.
    • In Michigan, where dairy farming is common, locally available dairy products can be an easy source of calcium.

  • Adequate vitamin D

    • Helps the body absorb calcium.
    • Sources: Sunlight, fortified milk, fatty fish, and supplements if needed.
    • In Grand Rapids, long, cloudy winters and limited sun exposure can increase the risk of low vitamin D levels. Many residents benefit from having their vitamin D checked and discussing supplements with a healthcare provider.

  • Regular weight-bearing exercise

    • Activities like walking, jogging, dancing, stair climbing, and strength training help build and maintain bone.
    • Local options include walking in Millennium Park, using community recreation centers, or indoor exercise during icy winter months to reduce fall risk.

  • Healthy overall diet

    • A balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains provides the vitamins and minerals needed for bone health.

  • Hormone levels

    • Hormones such as parathyroid hormone, growth hormone, calcitonin, estrogen, and testosterone all play a role in bone metabolism.
    • After menopause, women in Grand Rapids and elsewhere are at higher risk of osteoporosis due to lower estrogen levels.

Common Bone Conditions

Residents of Grand Rapids, like people throughout Michigan, can experience a range of bone-related conditions:

  • Fractures – Broken bones from falls, sports injuries, car accidents, or winter ice-related slips.
  • Osteoporosis – Loss of bone density and strength, increasing fracture risk. More common in older adults, especially postmenopausal women.
  • Osteomyelitis – Infection of the bone, often requiring antibiotics and sometimes surgery.
  • Osteitis / Paget’s disease of bone – Inflammation and abnormal bone remodeling.
  • Acromegaly – Overgrowth of bones in the face, hands, and feet due to excess growth hormone.
  • Fibrous dysplasia – Abnormal growth or swelling of bone, where normal bone is replaced with fibrous tissue.
  • Rickets – In children, poorly mineralized bones due to lack of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate. Limited sun exposure in northern climates like Michigan can contribute if diet and supplementation are inadequate.
  • Multiple myeloma – Cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow that can weaken bones and cause pain.
  • Bone cancer
    • Primary bone cancers such as osteosarcoma (cancer that starts in the bone).
    • Secondary (metastatic) bone cancers that spread to bone from other organs, such as breast, prostate, lung, or kidney.

Prompt evaluation of persistent bone pain, unexplained fractures, or changes in height or posture is important. Local specialists in orthopedics, endocrinology, and oncology in Grand Rapids can diagnose and treat these conditions.

Bone Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Several local factors can influence bone health for people living in the Grand Rapids area:

  • Cold, icy winters – Increase the risk of falls and fractures. Using proper footwear, salt or sand on walkways, and assistive devices when needed can help prevent injuries.
  • Limited winter sunlight – Can lead to low vitamin D levels, which affects calcium absorption and bone strength. Discuss vitamin D testing and supplementation with your doctor.
  • Active lifestyles – Many Grand Rapids residents enjoy outdoor sports, biking, and lake activities. While these are beneficial for bone strength, they also carry injury risks, making protective gear and safe practices important.

Local Resources for Bone and Musculoskeletal Health

If you have concerns about your bones, joints, or risk of fractures in Grand Rapids, you can seek help from:

  • Your primary care provider (GP / family doctor) – First point of contact for bone pain, suspected osteoporosis, or injuries.
  • Orthopedic and sports medicine clinics – Available through:
    • Spectrum Health (Corewell Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health and affiliated orthopedic practices
  • Endocrinologists and rheumatologists – For metabolic bone diseases like osteoporosis or complex inflammatory conditions.
  • Kent County Health Department & Grand Rapids Public Health resources – Offer community health information, fall-prevention education, and nutrition support programs that can benefit bone health.

For urgent injuries such as suspected fractures, head to a local urgent care or emergency department at hospitals like Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

Protecting Your Bones

To keep your bones strong and healthy in Grand Rapids:

  • Eat a calcium-rich, well-balanced diet
  • Ensure adequate vitamin D, especially during fall and winter
  • Stay physically active with weight-bearing and strength exercises
  • Avoid smoking and limit excessive alcohol use
  • Take fall-prevention measures, particularly in icy weather
  • Talk with your doctor about bone density testing (DEXA scan) if you are at higher risk for osteoporosis

If you’re unsure where to start, contact your local Grand Rapids healthcare provider to discuss a personalized bone health plan tailored to your age, lifestyle, and medical history.