What is "osteopetrosis"

n. (context disease English) A rare hereditary disorder characterized by hard, dense bones.

n. an inherited disorder characterized by an increase in bone density; in severe forms the bone marrow cavity may be obliterated [syn: Albers-Schonberg disease, marble bones disease]

Osteopetrosis, literally "stone bone", also known as marble bone disease and Albers-Schönberg disease, is an extremely rare inherited disorder whereby the bones harden, becoming denser, in contrast to more prevalent conditions like osteoporosis, in which the bones become less dense and more brittle, or osteomalacia, in which the bones soften. Osteopetrosis can cause bones to dissolve and break.

It can cause osteosclerosis. The cause of the disease is understood to be malfunctioning osteoclasts. Radiological findings will show a bone-in-bone appearance.