USMLEPrepUSMLEPrep
Normal·Musculoskeletal·Long bone diaphysis

Compact bone — osteon (Haversian system)

Stain: H&E·Magnification: 40x·Tissue: Lamellar bone·4 labeled regions
Compact bone — osteon (Haversian system) histology — Musculoskeletal, Long bone diaphysis, H&E
Wikimedia Commons · File:Compact bone histology 2014.jpg · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Compact_bone_histology_2014.jpg (CC-licensed)
Open the interactive viewer

Sign up free to pan/zoom up to 10×, tap each labeled marker for the structure's description and clinical context, and switch to quiz mode to test yourself on every region.

Create free account

Description

Concentric lamellae arranged around a central canal carrying vessels + nerves. The repeating cylindrical unit of compact bone.

Labeled regions (4)

  1. 1
    Haversian canal

    Central vascular channel of an osteon.

  2. 2
    Concentric lamellae

    Parallel layers of mineralized matrix; collagen orientation alternates.

  3. 3
    Osteocyte in lacuna

    Trapped osteoblast; senses mechanical strain.

  4. 4
    Volkmann canal

    Transverse channel linking adjacent Haversian systems.

More musculoskeletal histology

Skeletal muscle — longitudinal section
Skeletal muscle — longitudinal section
Skeletal muscle
Hyaline cartilage — tracheal ring
Hyaline cartilage — tracheal ring
Trachea