Compact Bone Microscopic Anatomy

Compact Bone Microscopic Anatomy

• Central Haversian Canal: Contains blood vessels and nerves, facilitating communication and nutrient supply within the bone.

• Osteon (Haversian System): The fundamental structural unit of compact bone, comprising a central canal surrounded by concentric lamellae, enhancing strength and support.

• Circumferential Lamellae: These layers encircle the diaphysis, providing resistance to twisting forces, maintaining structural integrity.

• Lamellae: Composed of weight-bearing column-like matrix tubes, crucial for providing strength and structure to bone.

• Periosteum: A fibrous membrane that covers the surface of bones, serving as an attachment point for tendons and ligaments, containing blood vessels and nerves.

• Periosteal Blood Vessel: Supplies the periosteum and plays a role in nourishing the bone tissue.

• Perforating Sharpey's Fibers: Connective tissue fibers that anchor the periosteum to the underlying bone, enhancing stability.

• Endosteum: A thin layer lining the bony canals and covering trabeculae, involved in bone growth and repair.

• Perforating (Volkmann's) Canal: Runs perpendicular to the central canal, connecting blood vessels and nerves from the periosteum to the central canal, facilitating communication.

• Lacunae: Small cavities within the bone matrix that contain osteocytes, pivotal for monitoring bone health.

• Canaliculi: Network of hairlike canals connecting lacunae and the central canal, allowing nutrient and waste transfer between osteocytes.

• Trabeculae: Supportive structures within spongy bone, aligned according to stress lines, featuring irregular lamellae, osteocytes, and canaliculi, with capillaries supplying nutrients.

• Osteogenic Cells: Stem cells located in the periosteum and endosteum, responsible for generating osteoblasts, essential for bone formation.

• Osteoblasts: Bone-forming cells that synthesize the bone matrix, critical for growth and healing.

• Osteocytes: Mature bone cells that maintain and monitor the mineralized bone matrix, ensuring bone health.

• Osteoclasts: Cells responsible for bone resorption, breaking down the bone matrix to regulate calcium levels and repair bone.