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Related Concept Videos

Bone Markings01:26

Bone Markings

Bones have various surface features that help form joints and attach to other soft tissues. Depending on the function, bone markings are categorized into articulating projections, processes for attachment, depressions, and openings.
Articulating Projections
Articulating projections are found where two bones meet to form a joint. These structures are usually found at the ends of bones. The largest articulation is a rounded projection called the head, supported by a narrow neck at the ends of...
Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella01:16

Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella

The femur is the body's longest and strongest bone spanning the thigh region. Its head articulates with the acetabulum of the hip bone to form the hip joint. A minor indentation on the medial side of the femoral head, called the fovea capitis, serves as the site of attachment for the ligament of the head of the femur. This weak ligament spans the femur and acetabulum and supports the hip joint. The narrowed region below the head is the neck of the femur. The inclination angle between the neck...
Bone Remodeling01:40

Bone 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.
Bone Formation by Intramembranous Ossification01:29

Bone 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...
Compact Bone01:27

Compact 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...
Spongy Bone01:09

Spongy 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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

In situ Compressive Loading and Correlative Noninvasive Imaging of the Bone-periodontal Ligament-tooth Fibrous Joint
07:09

In situ Compressive Loading and Correlative Noninvasive Imaging of the Bone-periodontal Ligament-tooth Fibrous Joint

Published on: March 7, 2014

Discontinuities in the human bone-PDL-cementum complex.

Jonathan M Hurng1, Michael P Kurylo, Grayson W Marshall

  • 1Division of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.

Biomaterials
|July 22, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Narrowed periodontal ligament (PDL) spaces in human bone-tooth joints disrupt function. This study reveals structural changes and altered mechanical properties in narrowed PDL, potentially leading to bone-cementum fusion.

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Imaging of the Microstructural Failure Mechanism in the Human Hip

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Last Updated: May 30, 2026

In situ Compressive Loading and Correlative Noninvasive Imaging of the Bone-periodontal Ligament-tooth Fibrous Joint
07:09

In situ Compressive Loading and Correlative Noninvasive Imaging of the Bone-periodontal Ligament-tooth Fibrous Joint

Published on: March 7, 2014

3D Imaging of PDL Collagen Fibers during Orthodontic Tooth Movement in Mandibular Murine Model
09:33

3D Imaging of PDL Collagen Fibers during Orthodontic Tooth Movement in Mandibular Murine Model

Published on: April 15, 2021

Imaging of the Microstructural Failure Mechanism in the Human Hip
08:43

Imaging of the Microstructural Failure Mechanism in the Human Hip

Published on: September 29, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Biomechanics
  • Dental Research

Background:

  • Functional demands can lead to discontinuous interfaces in dynamic joints, decreasing efficiency.
  • The human bone-tooth fibrous joint, including the periodontal ligament (PDL), is susceptible to such changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the structural and mechanical characteristics of narrowed PDL spaces in the human bone-tooth complex.
  • To understand the implications of these changes on joint function and mechanotransduction.

Main Methods:

  • Histochemistry, high-resolution microscopy, micro-computed tomography (Micro XCT™).
  • X-ray fluorescence imaging, wet atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
  • Wet nanoindentation techniques to assess elastic modulus.

Main Results:

  • Narrowed PDL spaces (5-50 µm) result from scalloped insertions and bony protrusions, showing patchy asporin and structural reorganization.
  • Micro XCT™ confirmed PDL-vascular continuity despite narrowing.
  • Higher Ca/P levels correlated with increased elastic modulus (0.1-1.4 GPa) in narrowed PDL entheses.

Conclusions:

  • Functional PDL spaces (150-380 µm) exhibit gradual modulus changes, minimizing strain amplification.
  • Narrowed PDL spaces show modulus discontinuity, compromising mechanotransduction and potentially causing bone-cementum fusion.