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Lab Exam 2-Compact Bone Structure and Features

Jun 23, 2025

Overview

This lecture covers the structure and key components of compact bone, focusing on its organization and terminology.

Bone Coverings

  • The periosteum is a connective tissue covering that surrounds all bones.
  • Perforating fibers, also called Sharpey's fibers, connect the periosteum to the underlying bone.
  • The endosteum is a membrane lining the medullary cavity inside the bone.

Compact Bone Structure

  • Compact bone is made of circular structures called osteons, each with a central canal.
  • The central canal runs through the middle of each osteon and contains blood vessels and nerves.
  • Perforating canals, or Volkman's canals, connect central canals and run perpendicular to them.

Small Bone Features

  • Lacunae are small cavities within bone tissue that house osteocytes (bone cells).
  • Canaliculi are tiny channels radiating from lacunae, allowing communication and nutrient exchange between osteocytes.

Osteon Details

  • Osteons are composed of concentric rings of bone called lamellae.
  • Lamellae are layers of bony material surrounding the central canal within each osteon.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Periosteum — Connective tissue layer covering the outer surface of bone
  • Perforating (Sharpey's) fibers — Fibers connecting periosteum to the bone
  • Endosteum — Membrane lining the inside (medullary cavity) of bone
  • Osteon — Circular structural unit of compact bone
  • Central canal — Central tube in the osteon containing blood vessels and nerves
  • Perforating (Volkman's) canal — Canal connecting central canals across osteons
  • Lacuna (plural: lacunae) — Small cavity housing an osteocyte
  • Canaliculi — Small channels connecting lacunae
  • Osteocyte — Mature bone cell found in lacunae
  • Lamella (plural: lamellae) — Concentric ring/layer of bone within an osteon

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Review bone structure models to identify each feature discussed.
  • Study key term definitions for upcoming quizzes.