Microscopic Anatomy (Compact Bone)
Microscopic Anatomy (Compact Bone)
Osteon (Haversian System): Unit of bone.
Central (Haversian) Canal: Carries blood vessels and nerves lengthwise.
Perforating (Volkmann's) Canal: Runs perpendicular to the central canal; carries blood vessels and nerves.
Three. Classification of Bones by Shape
Three. Classification of Bones by Shape
Long: Longer than wide; shaft plus two ends; mostly compact bone. For example, femur, humerus.
Short: Cube-shaped; mostly spongy bone. For example, carpals, tarsals.
Flat: Thin, flattened, usually curved; compact bone layers around spongy bone. For example, skull, ribs, sternum.
Irregular: Do not fit other categories. For example, vertebrae, hip.
Sesamoid: Small, protective; found where tendons pass over joints. For example, patella.