Basic Structural Features, Compact Bone

In compact bone, the cells and matrix of bone are thickly arranged around blood vessels that run through the bone. Because of the minimal content of ground substance in bone, its matrix is a very poor medium for diffusion. Consequently, the osteocytes must adopt a characteristic pattern around the blood vessels so that diffusion can take place through the canaliculi that connect with the Haversian canal and with the osteocyte lacunae. This pattern is known as the Haversian system or osteon.

Labels in this Slide:
- Haversian System
- Interstitial lamellae
- Haversian Canal
- Lacuna
- Canaliculus