FUNCTIONAL

OSTEOLOGY
Functional Osteology
Bone is one of the hardest
materials in the body
But it is one of the most plastic
and most responsive to functional
forces
“Trajectorial theory of Bone
Formation”
TRAJECTORIAL THEORY OF
BONE FORMATION
Trajectorialtheory of Bone
Formation by Meyers, Culmann
Law of Orthognality by Wolff
Law of Transformation of Bone by
Roux
StressTrajectories by Benninghoff
 Trajectorial theory of Bone
Formation
1867
Anatomist Herman von Meyer and
Mathematician Carl Culmann
The alignment of the bony trabeculae
in the spongiosa followed definite
engineering principles.
The apparent effect of function on
the bone was noted in the femur.
 Law of Orthognality
1870
German anatomist and Surgeon
Julius Wolff
The trabecular alignment was due
primarily to functional forces.
Any change in direction or intensity
of the forces would change the
internal architecture.
Wolff explicitly related bone
structure to bone function in terms of
the forces and loads imposed on
living active bone.
 Law of Transformation of
Bone
1885
Wilhelm Roux
Stated that the stresses of tension or
pressure on bone stimulate bone
formation.
Trabeculae do not all cross each
other at right angles.
Many trajectories are irregular and
wavy.
Changes in functional forces produce
measurable changes in bony
architecture.
In fact, in has been claimed that Roux
was the first to accurately described the
adaptation of bone to altered load, and
consequently “Wolff’s Law” should
really be “Roux’s Law”
 StressTrajectories
Benninghoff
Trajectories or lines of stress involve both
the compact and spongy bone.
Lines of orientation of bony trabeculae
follow the pathways of maximal pressure
and tension.
Head is composed of only two bones –
Craniofacial skeletal unit and Mandible
Craniofacial Skeletal Unit
Transfers the whole stress to the
cranium
Has thin cortices that are
interconnected by trabeculae
Presence of stress from above the
teeth in the maxillary arch passing
superiorly to the zygomatic or jugal
buttress.
3 main vertical pillar
of trajectories:
● Canine Pillar
● Zygomatic Pillar
● Pterygoid Pillar
Mandible
Absorbs all stresses
Thick cortices and more radially
arranged trabeculae
Trabecular columns radiate from
beneath the teeth in the alveolar
process and join together in a
common stress pillar, or trajectory
system, that terminates in the
mandibular condyle.