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Calcium regulation in the human body. [27] The plasma ionized calcium concentration is regulated within narrow limits (1.3–1.5 mmol/L). This is achieved by both the parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland, and the parathyroid glands constantly sensing (i.e. measuring) the concentration of calcium ions in the blood flowing through them.
Disorders of calcium metabolism occur when the body has too little or too much calcium. The serum level of calcium is closely regulated within a fairly limited range in the human body. In a healthy physiology, extracellular calcium levels are maintained within a tight range through the actions of parathyroid hormone , vitamin D and the calcium ...
The bones act as a (metaphorical) "bank of calcium" from which the body can make "withdrawals" as needed to keep the amount of calcium in the blood at appropriate levels despite the ever-present challenges of metabolism, stress, and nutritional variations. PTH is "a key that unlocks the bank vault" to remove the calcium.
Calcium is used to make calcium carbonate (found in chalk) and calcium phosphate, two compounds that the body uses to make teeth and bones. This means that too much calcium within the cells can lead to hardening (calcification) of certain intracellular structures, including the mitochondria, [2] leading to cell death. Therefore, it is vital ...
Calcification is the accumulation of calcium salts in a body tissue. It normally occurs in the formation of bone, but calcium can be deposited abnormally in soft tissue, [1] [2] causing it to harden. Calcifications may be classified on whether there is mineral balance or not, and the location of the calcification. [3]
Calcium signaling is the use of calcium ions (Ca 2+) to communicate and drive intracellular processes often as a step in signal transduction. Ca 2+ is important for cellular signalling , for once it enters the cytosol of the cytoplasm it exerts allosteric regulatory effects on many enzymes and proteins .
Vitamin D increases absorption of calcium and phosphate in the intestinal tract, leading to elevated levels of plasma calcium, [4] and thus lower bone resorption. Calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol) is the active form of vitamin D 3. [10] It has numerous functions involved in blood calcium levels.
The term "calcium-sparing diuretic" is sometimes used to identify agents that result in a relatively low rate of excretion of calcium. [5] The reduced concentration of calcium in the urine can lead to an increased rate of calcium in serum. The sparing effect on calcium can be beneficial in hypocalcemia, or unwanted in hypercalcemia. [citation ...