Key Histology Features

Instructions: Run your mouse over the histology slide want to view. Key histology features are described. If a link is present, click to view and listen to the histology audioslide.

(1) histology slide of compact bone (labels) (2) histology slide of compact bone (labels) (3) histology slide of compact bone (4) histology slide of immature bone

Bone

Histology slides (1), (2) and (3) are compact bone. On histology slide (1), in the center, you see an osteon. In the very center of the osteon is the Haversian canal. It contains blood vessels and connective tissue. Concentric lamella surround the Haversian canal, much like rings on a tree. The lacunae are small dark areas seen. Branching off of these are canaliculi...little canals. The canaliculi are fine thread like structures.

The other histology slide (4) is a section of decalcified immature bone. Immature bone does not have the Haversian system. Since it does not display the concentric ring pattern seen with mature bone, it is sometimes called nonlamellar bone or woven bone.