Hydroxyapatite
Hydroxyapatite
Hydroxyapatite (pronounced: hy·droxy·apa·tite | \ ˌhī-drək-sē-ˈa-pə-ˌtīt \) is a naturally occurring mineral form of calcium apatite, with the formula Ca5(PO4)3(OH), but it is usually written Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 to denote that the crystal unit cell comprises two entities. Hydroxyapatite is the hydroxyl endmember of the complex apatite group.
Etymology
The term "Hydroxyapatite" is derived from the Greek words 'hydro' meaning water, 'xy' meaning sharp, and 'apatite' which is derived from 'apate' meaning deceit. The name reflects the deceptive similarity of apatite to many other minerals.
Related Terms
- Apatite: A group of phosphate minerals, usually referring to hydroxylapatite, fluorapatite and chlorapatite, named for high concentrations of OH−, F− and Cl− ions, respectively, in the crystal.
- Calcium: A chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20. As an alkaline earth metal, calcium is a reactive metal that forms a dark oxide-nitride layer when exposed to air.
- Phosphate: A phosphate is a salt of phosphoric acid. Phosphates are the naturally occurring form of the element phosphorus.
- Mineral: A mineral is, broadly speaking, a solid chemical compound that occurs naturally in pure form.
Usage in Medicine
Hydroxyapatite has a key role in the regulation of calcium and phosphate homeostasis. Therefore, it is very important in the field of medicine. It is the main component of tooth enamel and bone mineral. A relatively rare form of hydroxyapatite is also found in the small calcifications, known as calcified deposits, within the pineal gland and other parts of the body.
In medicine, hydroxyapatite is used to coat medical devices, implants and as a filler for bone defects or voids. These are used in conjunction with a collagen membrane for guided bone regeneration or guided tissue regeneration.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hydroxyapatite
- Wikipedia's article - Hydroxyapatite
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