In Paget's disease, which statement describes the role of osteoblasts?

In Paget's disease, which statement describes the role of osteoblasts?

• A. Cartilage forms in marrow
• B. Osteoblasts take over and start to fill marrow with bone
• C. There is decreased bone turnover
• D. Osteoclasts increase bone density

Answer: (B)

In Paget's disease, bone remodeling becomes chaotic, with rapid resorption by osteoclasts followed by a surge of osteoblastic bone formation. After resorption, osteoblasts kick into overdrive to lay down new bone quickly, filling in the spaces and marrow with bone. This explains why the statement about osteoblasts taking over and filling marrow with bone best fits the condition: it captures the intense, accelerated bone formation phase that follows the initial resorption and leads to enlarged, disorganized, woven bone. Cartilage forming in marrow isn’t a feature here, and bone turnover is increased, not decreased. Osteoclasts are responsible for resorption, not increasing overall bone density by themselves; the dense but disorganized new bone results from subsequent osteoblastic formation.

In Paget's disease, bone remodeling becomes chaotic, with rapid resorption by osteoclasts followed by a surge of osteoblastic bone formation. After resorption, osteoblasts kick into overdrive to lay down new bone quickly, filling in the spaces and marrow with bone. This explains why the statement about osteoblasts taking over and filling marrow with bone best fits the condition: it captures the intense, accelerated bone formation phase that follows the initial resorption and leads to enlarged, disorganized, woven bone.

Cartilage forming in marrow isn’t a feature here, and bone turnover is increased, not decreased. Osteoclasts are responsible for resorption, not increasing overall bone density by themselves; the dense but disorganized new bone results from subsequent osteoblastic formation.