resorption

1. loss of substance (bone) by physiologic or pathologic means; the reduction of the volume and size of the residual alveolar portion of the mandible or maxillae. n 2. the cementoclastic and dentinoclastic action that often takes place on the root of a replanted tooth.

1. the lysis and assimilation of a substance, as of bone or fetus.
2. reabsorption.

• r.–formation sequence — while bones are being formed for the first time the sequence is formation followed by resorption and modeling; in remodeling of an existing bone resorption occurs first and is then followed by bone formation.
• r. lacuna — concavities in bone created by osteoclasts.
• r. space — a continuous series of resoption lacunae.