Cortical bone histology
Definition
Examination of thin sections of compact bone under transmitted and polarised light microscopy to characterise osteon structure, lamellation, and vascularisation pattern. Used when surface morphology is degraded or ambiguous.
Related terms
- Articular surface
- The smooth cartilage-covered end of a long bone that forms a joint. Shape, curvature, and proportional dimensions of articular surfaces are primary...
- Avian pneumatic bone
- Bone in birds that is internally hollow or has air sac connections, substantially reducing skeletal mass for flight. The thin cortex and...
- Osteometric discriminant analysis
- Multivariate statistical classification of an unidentified bone specimen based on a set of standardised measurements, using reference data from known-species museum collections...
- Osteon (Haversian system)
- The basic structural unit of compact cortical bone: a central Haversian canal surrounded by concentric lamellae of mineralised collagen. Osteon diameter and...
- Phalangeal proportions
- The relative lengths and widths of the digit bones (phalanges). Used in bear paw identification, where species-specific phalangeal index ratios and claw...
Explained in
- Bone and Skeletal Element IdentificationExamination of thin sections of compact bone under transmitted and polarised light microscopy to characterise osteon structure, lamellation, and vascularisatio...