Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026
07:09
In situ Compressive Loading and Correlative Noninvasive Imaging of the Bone-periodontal Ligament-tooth Fibrous Joint
Published on: March 7, 2014
Quasi-static and harmonic indentation of osteonal bone
S S Huja1, J L Hay, A M Rummel
1College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Journal of Dental Biomechanics
|October 29, 2010
Summary
Quasi-Static (QS) and continuous stiffness measurement (CSM) indentation methods showed similar results for bone mechanical properties. The only significant difference was in hardness for unlabeled osteons, suggesting both methods are viable for bone research.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Materials Science
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Bone mechanical properties are crucial for understanding skeletal health and disease.
- Indentation testing is a common method for measuring bone mechanical properties at the microscale.
- Quasi-Static (QS) and Continuous Stiffness Measurement (CSM) are two distinct indentation techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the Quasi-Static (QS) and Continuous Stiffness Measurement (CSM) indentation methods for measuring bone mechanical properties.
- To evaluate the reliability and consistency of both methods in assessing indentation modulus (IM) and hardness (H).
Main Methods:
- Bone sections from canine mid-femoral diaphyses were used.
- Osteons were identified as labeled (n=35) and unlabeled (n=112).
- Indentation tests were performed using both QS and CSM methods, with data collected at specific depths and loading cycles.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were found in indentation modulus (IM) between QS and CSM methods for both labeled and unlabeled osteons.
- Hardness (H) showed no significant difference for labeled osteons but was significantly different for unlabeled osteons (P = .017).
- CSM method showed no significant difference in IM across different depths (100-500 nm), indicating a lack of detected viscoelasticity at this scale.
Conclusions:
- Both QS and CSM indentation methods provide comparable measurements of bone mechanical properties, particularly indentation modulus.
- The CSM method may offer a more nuanced assessment of hardness in specific bone microstructures.
- Bone viscoelasticity was not detected at the tested microscale using these indentation methods.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Compact Bone
Most bones contain compact and spongy osseous tissue, but their distribution and concentration vary based on the bone's overall function.
Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is the denser, stronger of the two types of bone tissue. It is found under the periosteum and in the diaphyses of long bones, where it provides support and protection. The microscopic structural unit of compact bone is called an osteon, or haversian system. Each osteon is composed of concentric rings of calcified...
Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is the denser, stronger of the two types of bone tissue. It is found under the periosteum and in the diaphyses of long bones, where it provides support and protection. The microscopic structural unit of compact bone is called an osteon, or haversian system. Each osteon is composed of concentric rings of calcified...
01:40Bone Remodeling
Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
01:24Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification
Bone formation, or ossification, begins around the sixth to seventh week of embryonic development. Most bones develop from a cartilaginous template through the process of endochondral ossification. Cartilage formation begins when clusters of mesenchymal cells differentiate into chondrocytes. These chondrocytes proliferate rapidly and secrete an extracellular matrix that becomes encased in a membrane called the perichondrium. The resulting cartilage model provides a template that resembles the...
01:18The Bone Matrix
Bone contains a relatively small number of cells entrenched in a matrix of collagen fibers that provide an adherent surface for inorganic salt crystals. Both components of the matrix, organic and inorganic, contribute to the unusual properties of bone. Without collagen, bones would be brittle and shatter easily. Without mineral crystals, bones would flex and provide little support. This can be observed by an experiment: when the minerals of a bone are dissolved by soaking the bone in acid or...
01:29Bone Formation by Intramembranous Ossification
Intramembranous ossification is one of the two processes involved in the development of bones within an embryo. The flat bones of the face, most of the cranial bones, and the clavicles are formed via this process. During intramembranous ossification, the bones develop directly from sheets of undifferentiated mesenchymal connective tissue.
The process begins when mesenchymal cells in the embryonic skeleton gather together and differentiate into osteogenic cells, which then develop into...
The process begins when mesenchymal cells in the embryonic skeleton gather together and differentiate into osteogenic cells, which then develop into...
01:09Spongy Bone
All bones comprise an outer layer of compact bone, and an interior made up of spongy bone tissue, also called cancellous or trabecular bone. In long bones, spongy bone tissue is mainly found in the interior of the epiphyses (broad ends of the bone).
Spongy bone is more porous, and less dense compared to compact bone. It is composed of concentric lamellae that are arranged irregularly to form the trabecular network. In some bones, the spaces between trabeculae contain red marrow, where...
Spongy bone is more porous, and less dense compared to compact bone. It is composed of concentric lamellae that are arranged irregularly to form the trabecular network. In some bones, the spaces between trabeculae contain red marrow, where...