Surface and cross-sectional comparisons of bone growth remodeling

Broad, regional surface and cross-sectional assessments of growth remodeling in the macaque and human lower limb bones were compared using thin sections, stereomicroscopy and scanning election microscopy. In general, areas identified by cortical tissue type in thin sections as depository showed smooth surfaces under the SEM. Areas identified as resorptive in cross section always showed resorption lacunae with the SEM. Actively forming bone surfaces as described by previous SEM studies were not encountered even though rapidly forming cortical tissues were encountered with the light microscope. These results are consistent both for fresh and exhumed bone.