The Histology of Bone and Cartilage
Articular cartilage
Spongy bone
marrow
Compact bone
(location of
haversian systems)
Microscopic Anatomy of Bone
Figure 5.3
Microscopic Anatomy of Bone
 Lacunae
 Cavities containing
bone cells
(osteocytes)
 Arranged in
concentric rings
 Lamellae
 Rings around the
central canal
 Sites of lacunae
Figure 5.3
Slide
Microscopic Anatomy of Bone
 Canaliculi
 Tiny canals
 Radiate from the
central canal to
lacunae
 Form a transport
system
Figure 5.3
Slide
T.S. through compact bone x100
Note the
numerous
‘Haversian
Systems’
Dark spots are called ‘lacunae’ and
would contain osteocytes in living bone
Central
canal
containing
an artery,
vein,
lymph
vessel and
nerves.
What happens when excessive bending force compresses
the bone…!
c
o
m
p
r
e
s
s
i
o
n
force
The bone’s good compressive strength was not enough to
withstand this particular tackle…!
The matrix
of bone is a
mixture of
organic
(collagen)
and
inorganic
(calcium
phosphate)
90% of bone is
matrix, with
the remaining
10% made of
osteocytes.
Label the following:
A
B
C
Don’t confuse this picture with the Liver Lobule!
Compact bone
Compression
forces at the
junction…
Spongy bone
‘snow-boarder’s wrist’
aka: ‘dinner-fork wrist’!
‘snow-boarder’s
wrist!’
The fracture
occurs at the
junction
between
compact and
spongy bone.
‘dry-slope finger’
CARTILAGE
Recognisable by cells
called chondrocytes
…in small cavities
called lacunae
surrounded by a matrix
of embedded
glycoproteins and
collagen fibres,
A
chondrocytes
B lacunae
C matrix
1.
Bone contains cells called __________embedded in a matrix.
2.
The organic part of the matrix contains ___________?
3.
Osteoblasts secrete a pre-cursor to this called _________?
4.
The inorganic part contains ________________?
5.
What is the location of blood vessels in compact bone?
6.
Which way do haversian systems run within long bones?
7.
What are the cells that make up cartilage called?
8.
What are they embedded in?
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The Vertebral Column
 Vertebrae
separated by
intervertebral discs
 The spine has a
double curvature
 Each vertebrae is
given a name
according to its
location
Figure 5.14
Structure of a Typical Vertebrae
Figure 5.16
prolapse
The shoulder – a synovial ‘ball and
socket’ joint
The knee – a synovial hinge joint.
ligament
Synovial fluid
muscle
cartilage
Synovial membrane
Finally….
One bone you don’t want to break!