Multiple Choice
Collagen fibers run in alternate directions between lamellae. What would the effect on bone be if all of the collagen fibers were oriented in the same direction?
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6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue
Microscopic Anatomy of Bones - The Osteon
1:56 minutesProblem 4
Textbook Question
The basic functional unit of compact bone is the Haversian system or:
(a) Osteocyte
(b) Osteoclast
(c) Osteon
(d) Osseous matrix
(e) Osseous lamellae
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the question: It asks for the basic functional unit of compact bone, which is a structural term in bone anatomy.
Recall the definitions of the options: Osteocyte is a bone cell, Osteoclast is a bone-resorbing cell, Osteon is a structural unit of compact bone, Osseous matrix is the extracellular bone material, and Osseous lamellae are layers of bone matrix.
Identify that the Haversian system is another name for the Osteon, which is the cylindrical structure that makes up compact bone.
Confirm that the Osteon contains a central canal (Haversian canal) surrounded by concentric lamellae and osteocytes in lacunae.
Conclude that the correct answer is the term synonymous with the Haversian system, which is the Osteon.
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Video duration:
1mKey Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Haversian System (Osteon)
The Haversian system, also known as the osteon, is the fundamental structural unit of compact bone. It consists of concentric layers of calcified matrix called lamellae surrounding a central canal that contains blood vessels and nerves, enabling nutrient and waste exchange.
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Osteocytes
Osteocytes are mature bone cells embedded within the bone matrix. They maintain bone tissue by regulating mineral content and communicating with other bone cells through tiny channels called canaliculi, but they are not structural units themselves.
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Bone Matrix and Lamellae
The bone matrix is the intercellular substance of bone tissue, composed mainly of collagen fibers and mineral salts. Lamellae are the thin layers of this matrix arranged concentrically in osteons, providing strength and resilience to the bone.
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