🦴

M.6.6 Understanding Microscopic Bone Anatomy

Feb 13, 2025

Microscopic Anatomy of Bone

Overview

  • Focus on two types of bone: compact (lamellar) bone and spongy bone.

Compact Bone (Lamellar Bone)

Osteon (Haversian System)

  • Structure: Concentric circles called lamellae.
  • Composition: Dominated by collagen fibers running in alternate directions to resist stress and twisting.
  • Central Canal: Contains blood vessels and nerves.

Canals

  • Volkmann's (Perforating) Canals: Run perpendicular (90 degrees), connecting osteons to the circulatory system, endosteum, and periosteum.

Lacunae and Canaliculi

  • Lacunae: Small cavities where osteocytes reside.
  • Canaliculi: Hair-like connections formed by gap junctions between osteocytes, allowing nutrient and waste exchange.

Types of Lamellae

  • Circumferential Lamellae: Located at the perimeter of the compact bone, just deep to periosteum and superficial to endosteum.
  • Interstitial Lamellae: Found between osteons, indicates areas where osteons have been broken down.

Spongy Bone (Cancellous Bone)

Trabeculae

  • Structure: Appears disorganized but aligns along stress points.
  • Lamellae Arrangement: Irregularly arranged, unlike in compact bone.
  • Canaliculi: Present for osteocyte connections.

Nutrient and Blood Supply

  • Nutrient Foramen: Small openings in the diaphysis that allow passage of blood vessels and nerves into the bone structure.

Conclusion

  • Both compact and spongy bones have mechanisms to facilitate nutrient exchange and structural integrity, albeit through different arrangements and structures.