LCCW Skeletal Anatomy Practice Test

What happens when Parathyroid Hormone levels increase in the body?

Osteoclasts will start to breakdown bone to release calcium into the blood Osteoblasts increase bone formation Osteocytes die Cartilage formation accelerates

Correct Answer:

Osteoclasts will start to breakdown bone to release calcium into the blood

Explanation:

When parathyroid hormone levels rise, the body increases bone resorption to raise blood calcium. PTH acts on osteoblasts to express RANKL, which stimulates osteoclast formation and activity, leading to breakdown of bone and release of calcium into the bloodstream. This is complemented by PTH increasing calcium reabsorption in the kidneys and promoting the production of active vitamin D to boost intestinal calcium absorption. The other options don’t fit this mechanism: PTH’s primary skeletal effect is not to form more bone, it doesn’t cause osteocytes to die, and it doesn’t accelerate cartilage formation.

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