Wolff’s law

anatomy

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Last updated

July 15, 2026

Quick Summary

Wolff's law, formulated over a century ago, states that bone adapts to mechanical stress. If a bone's function changes, its internal structure and external shape will change accordingly. This principle is fundamental to understanding bone anatomy and how it responds to physical demands.1

Bone remodeling involves both resorption (removal of old bone) and formation (deposition of new bone). This process is crucial for maintaining skeletal health and adapting to mechanical loads. While the exact mechanisms are still being researched, it's understood that mechanical forces play a significant role in directing where this remodeling occurs.21

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bone
Physiological and mechanical controls
…century, have been formulated as Wolff’s law: “Every change in the function of a bone is followed by certain definite changes in its internal architecture and its external conformation.” Of the many theories proposed to explain how mechanical forces communicate with the cells responsible for bone formation and resorption, the…
Read More
…century, have been formulated as Wolff’s law: “Every change in the function of a bone is followed by certain definite changes in its internal architecture and its external conformation.” Of the many theories proposed to explain how mechanical forces communicate with the cells responsible for bone formation and resorption, the…
Read More