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Related Concept Videos

The Bone Matrix01:18

The Bone Matrix

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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...
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Bone as Supporting Connective Tissue01:23

Bone as Supporting Connective Tissue

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Bone tissue forms the internal skeleton of vertebrate animals, providing structure to the body.
Bone Matrix
Bone, or osseous tissue, is a connective tissue that has a large amount of two different types of matrix material. The organic matrix is similar to the matrix material found in other connective tissues, including some amount of collagen and elastic fibers. This gives strength and flexibility to the tissue. The inorganic matrix consists of mineral salts— mostly calcium salts—...
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Spongy Bone01:09

Spongy Bone

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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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Bone Structure01:55

Bone Structure

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Within the skeletal system, the structure of a bone, or osseous tissue, can be exemplified in a long bone, like the femur, where there are two types of osseous tissue: cortical and cancellous.
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Compact Bone01:27

Compact Bone

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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...
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Bone Formation by Intramembranous Ossification01:29

Bone Formation by Intramembranous Ossification

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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 ...
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Related Experiment Video

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Author Spotlight: Enhancing Accuracy and Reproducibility in Whole Bone Bending Tests
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Bone as a Structural Material.

Elizabeth A Zimmermann1, Robert O Ritchie2,3

  • 1University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 22529, Hamburg, Germany.

Advanced Healthcare Materials
|April 14, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cortical bone

Keywords:
agingcortical bonediseasestrengthtoughness

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Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Skeletal Biology

Background:

  • Cortical bone is a hierarchical composite of collagen and hydroxyapatite.
  • Its mechanical properties are crucial for structural support and physiological function.
  • Bone's hierarchical structure enables resistance to deformation and fracture across multiple length scales.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the origins of bone's strength, ductility, and toughness.
  • To investigate how microstructural features contribute to fracture resistance.
  • To understand how biological factors impact bone's mechanical integrity.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of bone's hierarchical structure from molecular to macroscopic levels.
  • Examination of deformation and toughening mechanisms at various scales.
  • Investigation of the effects of aging and disease on bone microstructure and mechanical properties.

Main Results:

  • Bone strength and ductility primarily arise from nano- to submicrometer structures (mineralized collagen fibrils/fibers).
  • Bone toughness is enhanced by micro- to near-millimeter scale features (crack-tip shielding).
  • Biological factors like aging and disease degrade bone's fracture resistance by altering collagen cross-linking, mineralization, and osteonal density.

Conclusions:

  • Bone's remarkable mechanical properties result from its hierarchical design and multi-scale toughening mechanisms.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is key to addressing bone fragility caused by aging and disease.
  • Targeting microstructural integrity could offer therapeutic strategies for bone disorders.