What is the Origin of Femoral Neck BMD?

This clinical term is foundational to the field of densitometry and metabolic bone disease, arising from the need for a standardized, non-invasive method to quantify skeletal strength. The femoral neck was chosen as a critical site due to its high clinical relevance as a common and devastating fracture location.

What is the Mechanism of Femoral Neck BMD?

Bone mineral density reflects the cumulative effect of bone remodeling, a continuous process governed by the balance between osteoblast-mediated bone formation and osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Hormones, particularly estrogen and parathyroid hormone, exert significant control over this balance. Estrogen deficiency, such as after menopause, accelerates bone resorption, leading to a net loss of bone mass and a measurable decline in femoral neck BMD, thus increasing skeletal fragility.

Femoral Neck BMD

Meaning

Femoral Neck BMD, or Bone Mineral Density of the Femoral Neck, is a quantitative measure of the mineral content per unit area of bone tissue in the upper part of the thigh bone, specifically the narrow region connecting the shaft to the head. Measured clinically using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), this metric is the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis and assessing fracture risk. A low femoral neck BMD is a powerful predictor of future hip fractures, which carry significant morbidity and mortality.