Features of the Osteon

Trabeculae

"little beams" basic, slanted structures found in spongy bone

Canaliculi

"little canals" - small channels that form a network that connect osteocytes to each other and the central canal

Osteon

the basic structure of compact bone, circular column made of many lamellae

Haversian (central) Canal

Hollow space at the center of an osteon, contains arteries, veins, and nerves

Volkmann's (perforating) Canal

Passages that carry arteries, veins, and nerves between central canals

Lacunae

little holes/gaps in tissue that contain a cell in bones, home to osteocytes

Osteocytes

mature cells that help maintain the bone matrix

Lamella

one of the rings of bone tissue in an osteon

Periosteum

tough membrane that covers the external surface of cone, fuses with muscles and tendons, enabling muscle contractions to produce bone movement

Sharpey's (perforating) Fibers

tough, collagen rich, connective tissue that connects the periosteum to the bone