Anat Cell Biol.  2015 Dec;48(4):258-261. 10.5115/acb.2015.48.4.258.

Haversian system of compact bone and comparison between endosteal and periosteal sides using three-dimensional reconstruction in rat

• Kim JN
• Lee JY
• Shin KJ
• Gil YC
• Koh KS
• Song WC

• KMID: 2133265
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2015.48.4.258

Abstract

The current model of compact bone is that of a system of Haversian (longitudinal) canals connected by Volkmann's (transverse) canals. Models based on either histology or microcomputed tomography do not accurately represent the morphologic detail and microstructure of this system, especially that of the canal networks and their spatial relationships. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the morphologic pattern and network of the Haversian system and to compare endosteal and periosteal sides in rats using three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction. Ten Sprague-Dawley rats aged 8-10 weeks were used. The femurs were harvested from each rat and fixed, decalcified with 10% EDTA-2Na, serially sectioned at a thickness of 5 microm, and then stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The serial sections were reconstructed three-dimensionally using Reconstruct software. The Haversian canals in the endosteal region were found to be large, highly interconnected, irregular, and close to neighboring canals. In contrast, the canals in the periosteal region were straight and small. This combined application of 3D reconstruction and histology examinations to the Haversian system has confirmed its microstructure, showing a branched network pattern on the endosteal side but not on the periosteal side.

Keyword

Haversian system; Compact bone; Three-dimensional reconstruction; Microstructure; Histology; Rat

MeSH Terms

Animals
Eosine Yellowish-(YS)
Femur
Haversian System*
Hematoxylin
Rats*
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
X-Ray Microtomography
Eosine Yellowish-(YS)
Hematoxylin

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Transverse section of the rat femur stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Scale bar=100 µm.

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  Fig. 2 Three-dimensional reconstruction of the Haversian system. Different colors represent the different networks of the Haversian and Volkmann's canals. Transparent gray shows the outline of the bone fragment. Many, large, and complex reddish networks of the Haversian and Volkmann's canals are located on the endosteal side, while relatively simple networks are located on the periosteal side. All images have the same magnification. a)Endosteal side.

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