Haversian System

http://webs.ashlandctc.org/mflath/KEY%20SKELETAL%20I%20OBJECTIVES.htm

Clopton Harvers

Born in 1655 in England Studied at Cambridge Both a Physician and an Anatomist Practiced medicine in London for most of his

life Credited for his in-depth studies of the bones

that ultimately led to the discovery of the 'Haversian canals' in them

Died in 1702

What exactly is a Harversian System? Compact bone contains many cylinder-shaped

structural units called osteons (Haversian systems) Each osteon runs lengthwise through the bone These Haversian systems makeup the structural

framework of compact bone The unique composition of the osteons allows for

the delivery of nutrients and the removal of certain waste products produced from metabolically active bone cells

Composition of the Haversian System Four types of structures make up each

osteon (haversian system) 1. Lamellae 2. Lacunae 3. Canaliculi 4. Haversian Canal

Lamellae (la-MEL-ay)

Concentric, cylinder-shaped layers of calcified matrix

http://faculty.une.edu/com/abell/histo/Histolab4e.htm

Lacunae (la-KYOO-nay)

Latin for “little lakes” Small spaces containing tissue fluid in which

bone cells lie imprisoned between the hard layers of the lamellae

http://faculty.une.edu/com/abell/histo/Histolab4e.htm

Canaliculi (CAN-uh-LIK-you-lye) Very tiny canals radiating in all directions

from the lacunae and connecting them to each other and into the Haversian canal

http://faculty.une.edu/com/abell/histo/Histolab4e.htm

Haversian Canal

Extends lengthwise through the center of each osteon Contains blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves from the

Haversian canal Nutrients and oxygen move through canalculi to the lacunae and

their bone cells Each Haversian canal is connected by tansverse Volkmann’s canals

(contain nerves and vessels that carry blood and lymph to the osteons)

http://newscenter.lbl.gov/feature-stories/2008/08/06/the-toughness-of-bone/