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Updated: Mar 18, 2026
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A Sectioning, Coring, and Image Processing Guide for High-Throughput Cortical Bone Sample Procurement and Analysis for Synchrotron Micro-CT
Published on: June 12, 2020
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Pore network microarchitecture influences human cortical bone elasticity during growth and aging
Yohann Bala1, Emmanuelle Lefèvre2, Jean-Paul Roux3
1Laboratoire Vibrations Acoustique, INSA Lyon, Campus LyonTech la Doua, 69621 Villeurbanne Cedex, France; INSERM UMR 1033, Université de Lyon, 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France.
Summary
Bone
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics and Biomedical Engineering
- Bone Biology and Mechanics
Background:
- Cortical porosity, a key factor in bone strength, is characterized by Haversian and Volkmann's canals.
- These canals form a 3D interconnected network reflecting intracortical remodeling, which changes throughout life.
- The 3D microarchitecture of this pore network's influence on bone stiffness during growth and aging is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how the 3D microarchitecture of the cortical pore network affects bone stiffness in growing children and adults.
- To compare the pore network characteristics between growing children and older adults.
- To determine the relationship between pore network features and mechanical properties, considering porosity-independent effects.
Main Methods:
- Cortical bone cubes from human fibulas of children and adults were analyzed using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT).
- Pore characteristics (volume fraction, number, diameter, separation, connectivity) were quantified.
- Elastic coefficients were measured using ultrasonic wave velocities and apparent mass density.
Main Results:
- While total pore volume fraction did not differ significantly between children and adults, the underlying microarchitecture did.
- Adults exhibited a higher pore number, increased connectivity, and decreased pore separation compared to children.
- Bone elasticity correlated with pore connectivity in children and pore separation in adults, independent of total porosity.
Conclusions:
- Intracortical remodeling across the lifespan significantly alters the cortical pore network's distribution, size, and connectedness.
- These microarchitectural changes contribute to age-related shifts in bone mechanical properties, beyond simple porosity.
- Assessing only pore volume fraction (porosity) offers an incomplete understanding of cortical bone's mechanical behavior.
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