Star volume in bone research. A histomorphometric analysis of trabecular bone structure using vertical sections

Area of Science:

• Bone biology
• Stereology
• Biomedical engineering

Background:

• Conventional bone histomorphometry struggles with trabecular bone anisotropy.
• Unbiased stereological estimates of bone structure are crucial for understanding bone health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a practical procedure for obtaining vertical bone sections.
• To introduce the star volume as a novel stereological parameter for estimating marrow space.
• To investigate age-related changes in bone structure and connectivity.

Main Methods:

• Developing a practical procedure for preparing vertical bone sections.
• Utilizing an anisotropic test system with vertical sections.
• Calculating the marrow space star volume from bone samples.

Main Results:

• Vertical sections combined with anisotropic test systems yield unbiased bone structure estimates.
• The star volume parameter accurately estimates absolute mean marrow space size.
• Marrow space star volume increases with age in vertebral bodies and iliac crest, indicating altered trabecular connectivity.

Conclusions:

• The described method offers unbiased stereological assessment of bone structure.
• Star volume provides indirect estimation of trabecular bone connectivity.
• Age-related bone structural changes are topological, involving alterations in trabecular connectivity.