Histology of the Bones

Dr. Mariam A. Humam

Objectives:
•Identify main functions of osseous tissue
•Identify the major parts of a long bone
•Describe the cells found in osseous tissue
•Describe the components of an osteon
•Compare and contrast intramembranous
and endochondral ossification.
Osteology: study of osseous structures.
Functions:
•Support
•Protection
•Movement
•Mineral homeostasis
•Hemopoiesis: blood cell formation
•Storage of adipose tissue: yellow
marrow
Long bone
Diaphysis

Epiphysis

Metaphysis

Epiphyseal
(growth) plate

Medullary
cavity
Long bone anatomy
•Diaphysis: long shaft of bone
•Epiphysis: ends of bone
•Epiphyseal plate: growth plate
•Metaphysis: b/w epiphysis and diaphysis
•Articular cartilage: covers epiphysis
•Medullary cavity: Hollow chamber in
bone
- red marrow produces blood cells
- yellow marrow is adipose.
 Histology of bone tissue

Bone is composed of:

1. Bone matrix
2. Bone cells
 Composition of Bone matrix

- Calcium Carbonate,
- Magnesium
Hydroxide,
- Fluoride and
Sulfate
Types of Bone Cells

4 cell types:
1. Osteoprogenitor cells
2. Osteoblasts: Bone-forming cells
3. Osteocytes: Mature bone cell
4. Osteoclasts: Bone-destroying cells
 Osteoprogenitor cells
Derived from mesenchyme (all
connective tissue is derived)
Unspecialized stem cells
Undergo mitosis and develop into
osteoblasts
Found on inner surface of periosteum
and endosteum.
They have pale oval nucleus and pale
basophilic cytoplasm.
Osteoblasts: (bone forming cells):
Derived from Osteoprogenitor cells.
Found on surface of bone
No ability to divide
Collagen secretors
By L.M, the active osteoblasts are large broad
spindle-shaped or cuboidal cells with eccentric
pale nucleus abundant basophilic cytoplasm.
By E.M, it contains much RER, large Golgi
apparatus and secretory vesicles contain
alkaline phosphatase.
Osteocytes: (Mature bone cells)
•Derived form osteoblasts
•Do not secrete matrix material
•Cellular duties include exchange of nutrients
and waste with blood.
By L.M, they are oval-branched cells
•dense nucleus and
•pale basophilic cytoplasm.
•By E.M, they have: Few RER and golgi
complex.
Osteoclasts, (Bone resorbing cells):

They are large

multinucleated
phagocytic cells.
Derived from monocyte-
phagocytic system.
Resorbs bone surface
Participate in growth,
maintenance and bone
repair
By L.M, they are
•Very large, branched motile cells containing
multiple nuclei and acidophilic cytoplasm.
•The plasma membrane of osteoclast that
facing the bone surface is folded into irregular
projections, forming a ruffled border.
•In resorption areas, the osteoclasts lie within
depressions known as Howship's lacunae.
By E.M, contains numerous mitochondria,
numerous lysosomes, well developed Golgi
complex, & little RER.
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Osteoclasts

16
Types of bone

Cancellous
(spongy) bone

Compact
bone
 Compact bone (Outer cortex)
External dense layer (without cavities)
Characterized by the presence of concentric
ring structures called Haversian Systems
(Osteons), each osteon is composed of:
1. Central neurovascular,
Haversian/neurovascular canals run
longitudinally.
2. Blood vessels and nerves penetrate
periosteum through horizontal canals called
perforating (Volkmann’s) canals.
3. Around canals are concentric bone
lamellae
4. Lacunae: tiny cavities inside the
lamellae rings, within which osteocytes
are found.
5. Radiating from the lacunea are
channels called canaliculi (consist of
the processes of osteocytes)
6. Lacunae are connected to one another
by canaliculi.
Compact
bone
(Outer
cortex)
Cancellous bone (Spongy bone):

•The internal part of the bone, consists

of numerous interconnecting cavities
separated by irregular plates called
bone trabeculae.
•These cavities between trabeculae are
filled by hemopoietic bone marrow.
Spongy bone (cancellous bone):

HM: haemopoietic bone

marrow;
T: bone trabeculae
Periosteum:
• The periosteum consists of connective tissue
that covers the outer surface of all cortices.
• It is composed of an outer fibrous layer and an
inner cellular layer.
• The outer fibrous layer contains fibroblasts
and collagen fibers. Bundles of periosteal
collagen fibers, called Sharpey's fibers,
penetrate the bone matrix, binding the
periosteum to bone.
• The inner, more cellular layer of the
periosteum is composed of spindle-shaped
fibroblasts and osteoprogenitor cells. 26
Periosteum:
• The outer fibrous layer
consists of bundles of
collagen fibers

• The inner cellular layer

contains spindle-shaped,
osteoprogenitor cells.

27
•Endosteum:
•It lines all internal cavities within the bone
and is composed of a single layer of flattened
osteoprogenitor cells and a very small
amount of connective tissue.
•It is thinner than the periosteum.
•Principal functions of periosteum &
endosteum are:
•Nutrition of osseous tissue and
•Provision of a continuous supply of new
osteoblasts for repair & growth of bone.
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 Ossification (osteogenesis)
Bone formation (ossification) occurs in
two ways
Intramembranous ossification -1
Endochondral ossification -2
Ossification (osteogenesis) begins
around the 6th -7th week of embryonic
life. At this time the embryonic skeleton
is made of fibrous membranes and
hyaline cartilage.
Intramembranous ossification (within the
membrane):
Bone develops from a fibrous membrane in
flat bones of skull, mandible, clavicles
Mesenchymal cells become vascularized
and become osteoprogenitor cells and then
osteoblasts.
Organic matrix of bone is secreted
Osteocytes are formed
Calcium and mineral salts are deposited
and bone tissue hardens.
Trabeculae develop and spongy bone is
formed, red marrow fills spaces
Endochondral (intracartilaginous) ossification
Is a replacement of hyaline cartilage with
bone
Most bones are formed this way (long bones).
1- mesenchymal cells differentiate into
chondroblasts which produces hyaline
cartilage.
2- Perichondrium develop around new
cartilage
3- Chondrocytes mitotically divide increasing
in length, this pattern of growth is Interstitial
growth (Growth from within).
Growth of cartilage in thickness occurs
from the deposition of new matrix to the
periphery formed by chondroblasts within
the perichondrium, this called
Appositional growth.
Chondrocytes undergo hypertrophy, swell
and burst. pH of the matrix changes and
calcification is triggered. Ultimately,
cartilage cells die.
Osteoprogenitor cells are stimulated in the
perichondrium to produce osteoblasts.
A thin layer of compact bone is laid down
under the perichondrium called the
periosteal bone collar.
Perichondrium becomes periosteum
Osteoblasts begin to deposit bone matrix
forming spongy bone trabeculae.
In the middle of the bone, osteoclasts
break down spongy bone trabeculae and
form a hollowed out cavity called the
medullary cavity. This cavity will be filled
with red bone marrow for hemopoiesis.