What unit is used to measure Bone Mineral Content (BMC)?

• A. Milligrams
• B. Grams
• C. Centimeters
• D. Milliliters

Answer: (B)

Bone Mineral Content (BMC) is measured in grams because it quantifies the amount of mineral (primarily calcium and phosphorus) present in a given volume of bone. This measurement is crucial in evaluating bone density and health, as it directly reflects the mineralization status of the skeletal structure.

Understanding the unit of measurement is essential for interpreting bone density studies and diagnosing conditions such as osteoporosis. Using grams allows for a more practical representation of the amount of mineral content in the bone, providing useful data for evaluating bone strength and quality.

The other units provided do not suitably reflect the context of measuring the mineral content in bones. Milligrams, while a smaller unit, would not provide a practical measurement for BMC in a clinical setting. Centimeters pertains to length, which is irrelevant in this context, and milliliters measure volume rather than mass. Thus, grams is the appropriate and widely accepted unit for expressing BMC.