Histology part: module2, unit 3

Bone &
Ossification
 Learning objectives

• Be able to describe the different types of bones

• To know the cells of the bone and their functions
• To be able to describe the structure and function of bone
• Be able to describe the process of bone formation and know how bone grows
Bone tissue-Introduction
• Bone tissue, or osseous tissue, is the major structural and supportive
connective tissue of the body.

• Forms the rigid part of the bones that make up the skeleton.

• Bone tissue is different from bones themselves — bones are organs made
up of bone tissue as well as marrow, blood vessels, epithelium and nerves,
while bone tissue refers specifically to the bone mineral matrix that forms
the rigid sections of the organ, and the bone cells within it.
 Bone-Functions

• Support - bones make up a structural framework for the body, and provide
attachment sites for muscles.

• Protection - protection of internal organs - i.e. brain, heart and lungs,

• Assisting movement.

• Mineral homeostasis - the bone is a store for calcium and phosphorus

• Blood cell production - takes place in the bone marrow.

 Types of bone tissue
There are two types of bone tissue:
• Cortical bone(compact bone) and
• Cancellous bone (trabecular and spongy bone).
• Cortical bone forms the extremely hard exterior while cancellous bone fills
the hollow interior.
• The tissues are biologically identical; the difference is in how the
microstructure is arranged.
• Cortical bone consists of a
repeating structure called an
osteon or Haversian system,
which is the primary
anatomical and functional
unit.

• Each osteon has concentric

lamellae (layers) of
mineralized matrix, which are
deposited around a central
canal, known as the Haversian
canal, each containing a blood
and nerve supply.
• Compact bone is found in the shafts of long
bones (in the diaphyses). This makes up 80%
of all bone.
• Spongy (cancellous) bone is found at the ends
of long bones (in the epiphysis). This makes up
20% of all bone. It is very porous, contains red
bone marrow and a network of bony
trabeculae.
• The periosteum is found on the outside of the
bone. It is a dense fibrous layer on which
muscles insert. It contains bone-forming cells.
• Periosteum is absent in the region of bone
covered by articular cartilage.
• Endosteum lines the inner surfaces of bones.
 Bone tissue formation
• Bone tissue is a mineralized connective tissue.

• Formed by cells, called osteoblasts, that deposit a matrix of type-I collagen

and release calcium, magnesium, and phosphate ions that ultimately
combine chemically within the collagenous matrix into a crystalline mineral,
known as bone mineral, in the form of carbonated hydroxyapatite.

• Bone also contain osteoclasts, a kind of cell that breaks down bone; this
function is critical in the maintenance, repair, and remodeling of bones

• Bone is harder and stronger than cartilage without being brittle due to the
combination of hard mineral and flexible collagen it contains.

• Bone development begins in the embryo by two distinct processes:

endochondral ossification and intramembranous ossification.

• These two methods, though different, produce bone with the same
histologic features.
 Growth and nourishment of bone
Unlike cartilage, bone has a very good blood supply; riddled with capillaries.
The central cavity of bone contains blood vessels and is a storage for bone
marrow. All of the osteocytes within bone are within 0.2mm of a capillary and
so have express access to nutrition.

Bone growth
Bone is a replacement tissue, which uses a model tissue as template on which
its mineral matrix is laid down. The most common template is cartilage.
There are two ways in which bone can form and grow:
• Endochondral ossification and
• Intramembranous ossification
Endochondral bone formation : This is when bone develops by
replacing hyaline cartilage(cartilage does not become bone but
serves as a template to be completely replaced by new bone).
• Endochondral ossification takes much longer than
intramembranous ossification.
• Examples of bones form by endochondral ossification are bones
at the base of the skull and long bones
The stage of endochondral ossification.
Endochondral ossification follows five
steps.
(a) Mesenchymal cells differentiate
into chondrocytes.

(b) The cartilage model of the future

bony skeleton and the
perichondrium form.

(c) Capillaries penetrate cartilage.

Perichondrium transforms into
periosteum. Periosteal collar
develops. Primary ossification
center develops.

(d) Cartilage and chondrocytes

continue to grow at ends of the
bone.

(e) Secondary ossification centers

develop.

(f) Cartilage remains at epiphyseal

(growth) plate and at joint surface
as articular cartilage
Intramembranous - formation of bone directly onto fibrous connective
tissue without an intermediate cartilage stage.
This type of ossification occurs in a few specialized places such as the
flat bones of the skull (i.e. parietal bone), mandible, maxilla, and
clavicles.

Mesenchyme cells differentiate into osteoprogenitor cells, which

become osteoblasts that secrete the bone matrix.

Osteoblasts which are embedded in the bone matrix are known as

osteocytes
Intramembranous ossification follows four steps. (a) Mesenchymal cells group into
clusters, and ossification centers form. (b) Secreted osteoid traps osteoblasts, which
then become osteocytes. (c) Trabecular matrix and periosteum form. (d) Compact bone
develops superficial to the trabecular bone, and crowded blood vessels condense into
red marrow.