Bone physiologists have argued for many years over the primary function of bone remodelling; it may serve a number of purposes. Bone remodelling is presumably necessary to preserve structural integrity of the skeleton by continually replacing it. It also plays a minor role in calcium homeostasis, since the skeleton is the source of most of the calcium in the body, and bone
resorption releases calcium into the extracellular fluid. The skeleton is also a storehouse for minerals and buffers which may be released when bone is resorbed. Thismay be important in the maintenance of the acid-base balance, and also in supplying minerals such as magnesium and phosphate to the extracellular fluid at times of need.
