Osteon

Osteon
Diagram of compact bone from a transverse section of a long bone's cortex.
Details
Identifiers
LatinOsteon
MeSHD006253
Anatomical terminology
Diagram of a typical long bone showing both compact (cortical) and cancellous (spongy) bone.
Osteons on cross-section of a bone

In osteology, the osteon or haversian system (/həˈvɜːr.ʒən/; named for Clopton Havers) is the fundamental functional unit of much compact bone. Osteons are roughly cylindrical structures that are typically between 0.25 mm and 0.35 mm in diameter.[1] Their length is often hard to define,[2] but estimates vary from several millimeters[3] to around 1 centimeter.[1] They are present in many bones of most mammals and some bird, reptile, and amphibian species.

  1. ^ a b Ross, Lawrence M.; Lamperti, Edward D., eds. (2006). General Anatomy and Musculoskeletal System (Thieme Atlas of Anatomy). Thieme. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-60406-292-2.
  2. ^ Patterson, Janet C.; Firth, Elwyn C. (2013-06-06). The athletic horse : principles and practice of equine sports medicine (Second ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN 978-0-7216-0075-8.
  3. ^ "Osteon," Encyclopædia Britannica Online (2009); retrieved 23 June 2009.