The osteon, or Haversian system, is the fundamental functional unit of much compact bone. Osteons, roughly cylindrical structures that are typically several millimeters long and around 0.2 mm in diameter.

Each osteon consists of concentric layers, or lamellae, of compact bone tissue that surround a central canal, the Haversian canal.

The Haversian canal contains the bone’s nerve and blood supplies.

Osteoblasts form the lamellae sequentially, from the most external inward toward the Haversian canal.

Some of the osteoblasts develop into osteocytes, each living within its own small space also known as lacuna. [Read more...]

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