Metastatic calcification
Encyclopedia
Metastatic calcification is deposition of calcium salts in otherwise normal tissue, because of elevated serum levels of calcium
in blood, which can occur because of deranged metabolism as well as increased absorption or decreased excretion of calcium and related minerals.
It occurs as opposed to dystrophic calcification
where blood levels of calcium are normal, and abnormalities or degeneration of tissues result in mineral deposition. These differences in pathology also mean that metastatic calcification is often found in many tissues throughout a person or animal, while dystrophic calcification may be localized.
Metastatic calcification can occur widely throughout the body but principally affects the interstitial tissues
of the vasculature, kidneys, lungs, and gastric mucosa. For the latter three, acid secretions or rapid changes in pH levels contribute to the formation of salts .
Calcium
Calcium is the chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20. It has an atomic mass of 40.078 amu. Calcium is a soft gray alkaline earth metal, and is the fifth-most-abundant element by mass in the Earth's crust...
in blood, which can occur because of deranged metabolism as well as increased absorption or decreased excretion of calcium and related minerals.
It occurs as opposed to dystrophic calcification
Dystrophic calcification
Dystrophic Calcification is the calcification occurring in degenerated or necrotic tissue, as in hyalinized scars, degenerated foci in leiomyomas, and caseous nodules. This occurs as a reaction to tissue damage, including as a consequence of medical device implantation.Dystrophic calcification can...
where blood levels of calcium are normal, and abnormalities or degeneration of tissues result in mineral deposition. These differences in pathology also mean that metastatic calcification is often found in many tissues throughout a person or animal, while dystrophic calcification may be localized.
Metastatic calcification can occur widely throughout the body but principally affects the interstitial tissues
Soft tissue
In anatomy, the term soft tissue refers to tissues that connect, support, or surround other structures and organs of the body, not being bone. Soft tissue includes tendons, ligaments, fascia, skin, fibrous tissues, fat, and synovial membranes , and muscles, nerves and blood vessels .It is sometimes...
of the vasculature, kidneys, lungs, and gastric mucosa. For the latter three, acid secretions or rapid changes in pH levels contribute to the formation of salts .