resorbing

Resorbing is the act or process of resorption, in which material is dissolved, broken down, or absorbed into another substance or tissue. In biology and medicine, resorbing commonly refers to the removal of tissue or mineral by specialized cells, or to the uptake of substances into surrounding compartments.

Bone resorption is a normal part of bone remodeling, driven by osteoclasts that degrade mineralized bone and organic matrix. This process is balanced by bone formation by osteoblasts. Hormonal and local signaling controls, including parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, RANKL, and osteoprotegerin, modulate resorption. When resorption exceeds formation, bone mass can decrease, contributing to osteoporosis or osteolysis; when formation outpaces resorption, abnormal bone growth can occur.

In dentistry, resorbing can describe root resorption, where dental hard tissues are dissolved and removed by clastic cells. External root resorption begins on the outer surface of the tooth, often due to trauma or inflammation, while internal resorption occurs from within the pulp chamber. Both can compromise tooth stability and may require intervention depending on extent and cause.

Other uses of the term occur in developmental biology and materials science, where tissues, minerals, or synthetic materials are resorbed or dissolved as part of remodeling, nutrient cycling, or biodegradation. Across contexts, resorbing denotes the transformation of material from a structured form into a simpler or constituent state.