It may predominantly affect the medullary portion and/or cortex of bone.

Plain radiographs are a valuable tool for detecting and classifying osteosclerotic disorders.

Osteosclerosis can be classified in accordance with the causative factor into acquired and hereditary.

[citation needed] In the animal kingdom, there also exists a non-pathological form of osteosclerosis, resulting in unusually solid bone structure with little to no marrow.

In those animal groups, osteosclerosis often occurs together with bone thickening (pachyostosis).