Pathology of Bone, Skeletal Muscle, and Tooth

The musculoskeletal system provides vital functions such as protection of fragile tissues, support, contribution to mineral homeostasis, and locomotion. In this chapter, we cover toxicologic pathology of importance to the nonpathologist in three major tissues comprising this system: bone and joints, skeletal muscle, and teeth. This chapter reviews the anatomy, physiology, and histology of these tissues. Best practices for study design, tissue collection and handling, and special procedures and ancillary evaluations such as biomarkers and imaging modalities are addressed. Common background lesions in nonclinical species are presented and mechanisms of toxicity and response to injury are discussed. Finally, types of animal models, risk assessment considerations, and determination of adversity are examined.