Question

Where would you find the highest concentration of strontium in a child who is exposed to strontium (strontium is preferentially incorporated into growing long bone)?

• A. In the cartilage lining the joints
• B. In the center of long bones
• C. In the skull bones
• D. Near the epiphyseal plates of long bones
• E. Evenly distributed throughout the body

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Near the epiphyseal plates of long bones

• Once strontium enters the bloodstream, it is distributed throughout the body, where it can enter and leave cells quite easily. In the body, strontium behaves very much like calcium.
• A large portion of the strontium will accumulate in bone. In adults, strontium mostly attaches to the surfaces of bones and near the epiphyseal plates of long bones.
• In children, whose bones are still growing, strontium may be used by the body to create the hard bone mineral itself. Hence, the highest concentration of strontium in a child who is exposed to strontium Near the epiphyseal plates of long bones.

So, the correct answer is 'Near the epiphyseal plates of long bones'.