Description
The artistic piece illustrates the appearance of an osteon (Haversian system) in 3D. The osteon is the unit or building brick of compact bone tissue and consists of a column of bone with layered subunits called lamellae. In this artistic rendering the inner most lamella has been pulled upward, dragging and stretching the sequential lamellae so as to display the morphology of all the lamellae in the osteon. The lamellae consist of calcium, phosphate, and hydroxyl ions which form a compound called hydroxyapatite (Ca5(PO4)3(OH). The hydroxyapatite gives bone its hardness. The lamella also contains type I collagen fibers. (color overlay of reds and pinks). Adjacent lamellae are arranged in different directions so that a zig zag pattern of the collagen is created allowing for strengthening of the tissue. The collagen also provides elasticity. Lacunae (black holes) are spaces in the lamellae that house the osteocytes (bone cells) . The canaliculi(connecting black web ) are a network of fine tubular channels that allow the osteocytes to bond and communicate with each other. The Haversian canal is the space in the middle of the osteons contain an artery, vein and nerve .
Related images:
Related products: arteries, bones, blood supply, bonds and connections, cells, parts, tissues, veins