Caption

Spinal osteoporosis. Coloured X-ray of the lumbar region of the spine of an elderly female patient with osteoporosis. The bones have lost their density and have become porous and fragile. One of the vertebrae (top) has become compressed leading to curvature (scoliosis) of the spine. Reduction of calcium in the bones may be associated with calcification of the blood vessels. The patient is also suffering from constipation and hard, dry stools can be seen in the intestines (pink/orange, lower centre).