Bone Histology

Embryology - 11 Dec 2023 Expand to Translate
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Introduction

Our adult skeleton forms from a larger number of developmental elements that are replaced and fuse. In development there are 2 separate signaling pathways for pattern formation and the formation of bone itself. Furthermore bone formation can be divided into 2 specific forms that occur in anatomically different regions. This practical class will describe the development and structure of bone and finish with a study of abnormalities associated with bone.

The image shown to the left shows a histological section through the developing lower limb at the level of a developing joint (knee), surrounding the developing bone are skeletal muscles and connective tissue of the limb.

Note: This current page contains both additional information and images to the practical class set. These are provided for educational information and study purposes only. For more development background see the Science Lecture - Musculoskeletal Development and notes on Bone Development.

Page also provides further histology background information for Medicine phase 1 Ageing and Endings Practical Virtual Slides.

Historic Embryology - Musculoskeletal
1853 Bone \| 1885 Sphenoid \| 1902 - Pubo-femoral Region \| Spinal Column and Back \| Body Segmentation \| Cranium \| Body Wall, Ribs, and Sternum \| Limbs \| 1901 - Limbs \| 1902 - Arm Development \| 1906 Human Embryo Ossification \| 1906 Lower limb Nerves and Muscle \| 1907 - Muscular System \| Skeleton and Limbs \| 1908 Vertebra \| 1908 Cervical Vertebra \| 1909 Mandible \| 1910 - Skeleton and Connective Tissues \| Muscular System \| Coelom and Diaphragm \| 1913 Clavicle \| 1920 Clavicle \| 1921 - External body form \| Connective tissues and skeletal \| Muscular \| Diaphragm \| 1929 Rat Somite \| 1932 Pelvis \| 1940 Synovial Joints \| 1943 Human Embryonic, Fetal and Circumnatal Skeleton \| 1947 Joints \| 1949 Cartilage and Bone \| 1957 Chondrification Hands and Feet \| 1968 Knee

Objectives

Understand the general microanatomy of bone
Understand bone cell types (location, structure, function)
Understand the histology of compact and spongy bone
Understand the 2 forms of developmental bone formation

Textbook

Histology and Cell Biology: An Introduction to Pathology, A.L. Kierszenbaum, 2002 - Connective Tissue, Chapter 4 pp118-129; Osteogenesis, Chapter 5 pp131-145

Slides

UNSW Virtual Slidebox Virtual Slidebox Phase 1

Virtual Slidebox of Histology Decalcified rib, bone marrow | Developing bone | Paget's disease of bone

Bone Structure

Terminology

Diaphysis - shaft
Epiphysis - expanded ends
Metaphysis - connecting region (between diaphysis and epiphysial line)
Medullary Cavity - (marrow) cavity within the bone.

More? Terms

Compact Bone

(dense) no spaces or hollows in the bone matrix visible to the eye.
forms the thick-walled tube of the shaft (or diaphysis) of long bones, which surrounds the marrow cavity (or medullary cavity). A thin layer of compact bone also covers the epiphyses of long bones.

Compact canals
Compact lamellae
compact bone

Trabecular Bone

(cancellous or spongy bone) consists of delicate bars (spicules) and sheets of bone, trabeculae
branch and intersect to form a sponge-like network
ends of long bones (or epiphyses) consist mainly of trabecular bone.

trabecular - overview (Stain - Haematoxylin Eosin)
trabecular - low (Stain - Haematoxylin Eosin)
trabecular - med (Stain - Haematoxylin Eosin)

Periosteum

The embryonic origin of this layer is still controversial. The connective tissue coating covering the surface of bone, except at the articular surfaces, consisting of two distinct main layers with sub-layers.^[1]

outer fibrous layer
1. outer - portion highly vascularized, cell poor with a predominant collagenous matrix and few elastic fibers.
2. inner - portion not highly vascularized, cell poor with a fibroelastic layer, containing many elastic fibers.
cambium layer - a highly cellular layer containing mesenchymal progenitor cells, differentiated osteogenic progenitor cells, osteoblasts and fibroblasts in a sparse collagenous matrix.

Endosteum

Connective tissue lining inner surface of bone.

Bone Growth

Appositional growth occurs at either the periosteum (outer surface), or the endosteum (inner surface).
Osteoblasts secrete osteoid, a pre-bone material composed mainly of type I collagen that becomes mineralized.
Early bone matrix deposited in development and during repair is woven rather than lamellar in appearance and structure.
In development, there are 2 distinct types of bone formation (intramembranous and endochondral)

Bone Cells

Osteoblasts

derive from osteogenic stem cells the osteoprogenitor cells that differentiate to form pre-osteoblast then osteoblasts maturing to an osteocyte
osteoprogenitor cells - "resting cell" line the inner and outer surfaces of bone
mononuclear cells that differentiate from mesenchymal progenitors
- differentiation controlled by several transcriptional factors (Runx2) and signaling cascades.
support osteoclast differentiation (by up-regulation of RANKL expression)

Osteocytes

mature bone-forming cells embedded in lacunae within the bone matrix
osteoblasts and osteocytes - secrete organic matrix of bone (osteoid), converted into osteocytes when become embedded in matrix (which calcifies soon after deposition)

Osteoclasts

bone-resorbing multi-nucleated macrophage-like cells
origin- fusion of monocytes or macrophages, Blood macrophage precursor, Attach to bone matrix
seal a small segment of extracellular space (between plasma membrane and bone surface), HCl and lysosomes secreted into this space by osteoclasts dissolves calcium phosphate crystals (give bone rigidity and strength)
- Resorptive bay - (Howship's lacuna) shallow bay lying directly under an osteoclast.
do not mistake for megakaryocytes, found in bone marrow not associated with bone matrix.
- megakaryocytes are also multi-niucleated and form platelets
tartrate-resistant acid phosphate (TRAP)–positive
differentiate from monocyte/macrophage lineage by stimulation by two essential cytokines
- macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)
- receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)

Bone Marrow

Hematopoietic and stromal cell differentiation

red marrow - mainly haematopoietic (myeloid) tissue, newborn has all red marrow
yellow marrow - mainly fat cells, found in diaphysis region of long bones
stromal cells - all other support cells not involved in haematopoiesis

Chondroblasts and Chondrocytes

Articular cartilage
Synovial joint showing cartilage

immature and mature cartilage forming cells located at articular cartilage regions.
Interstitial growth - occurs mainly in immature cartilage. Chondroblasts in existing cartilage divide and form small groups of cells (isogenous groups) which produce matrix to become separated from each other by a thin partition of matrix.
Appositional growth - occurs also in mature cartilage. Mesenchymal cells surrounding the cartilage in the deep part of the perichondrium (or the chondrogenic layer) differentiate into chondroblasts.

Links: Cartilage Histology

Bone Matrix

The bone matrix has 2 major components.

Organic portion composed of mainly collagen Type 1 (about 95%) and amorphous ground substance.
Inorganic portion (50% dry weight of the matrix) composed of hydroxyapatite crystals, calcium, phosphorus, bicarbonate, nitrate, Mg, K, Na.
- storage calcium and phosphate
- regulate blood calcium levels

Haversian System

also called osteon
Volkmann's canal - interconnect Haversian systems


Low Power (x10)	High Power (x20)

Lamellae

concentric - surrounding each Haversian System
interstitial - bony plates that fill in between the haversian systems.
circumferential - layers of bone that underlie the periosteum and endosteum

Cells

osteocytes extending cytoplasmic processes into canaliculi
Additional Histology images: low | medium | high

Endochondral ossification

Endochondral ossification slides: Developing bone | Bone, Developing (LS, Femur) Cat H&E

Dev Biology - endochondral ossification | endochondral ossification animation

Primary ossification

Primary ossification in mouse limb (E14.5)

Gallery

developing vertebra
compact - low
compact - low
compact - med
compact - high
compact bone - low unstained
compact bone - high unstained
trabecular - overview HE
trabecular - low HE
trabecular - med HE
developing vertebra
developing vertebra
developing vertebra
epiphyseal plate
epiphyseal plate
epiphyseal plate
fibrous cartilage
periosteum

Trabecular bone trabecular | lamellar | trabecular - overview HE | trabecular - low HE | trabecular - med HE

Endochondral ossification primary ossification | endochondral ossification

Intramembranous ossification intramembranous - VG low | intramembranous - VG high | intramembranous - HE low | intramembranous - HE high

Intramembranous Ossification

Intramembranous ossification slides: Head (Neonatal) Rat H& Van Gieson

intramembranous - HE low
intramembranous - HE high
intramembranous - VG low
intramembranous - VG high

Trabecular bone trabecular | lamellar | trabecular - overview HE | trabecular - low HE | trabecular - med HE

Endochondral ossification primary ossification | endochondral ossification

Intramembranous ossification intramembranous - VG low | intramembranous - VG high | intramembranous - HE low | intramembranous - HE high

Human Fetal Head (12 week)

Histology Stains

Alizarin Red

an anthraquinone derivative used to identify calcium in tissue sections
calcium forms an Alizarin Red S-calcium complex in a chelation process and the end product is also birefringent.
reaction can also identify magnesium, manganese, barium, strontium, and iron may interfere
- these elements usually in too low concentration to interfere with the staining

H&E

acronym for hematoxylin and eosin stain
hematoxylin - basic dye which colors basophilic structures with blue-purple hue (nucleus, DNA, RNA)
eosin Y - acidic alcohol-based which colors eosinophilic structures bright pink (cytoplasm, extracellular matrix, protein)

H&Van Gieson

Van Gieson's Stain is a mixture of picric acid and acid fuchsin used for differential staining of collagen and other connective tissue.
- Nuclei - stains brownish black to black
- Collagen (fibrous connective tissue) - stains pink or deep red
- Muscle, Cytoplasm, RBC and Fibrin - stains yellow

Links: Histology Stains

External Links

External Links Notice - The dynamic nature of the internet may mean that some of these listed links may no longer function. If the link no longer works search the web with the link text or name. Links to any external commercial sites are provided for information purposes only and should never be considered an endorsement. UNSW Embryology is provided as an educational resource with no clinical information or commercial affiliation.

e-radiography Ossification

References

↑ Dwek JR. (2010). The periosteum: what is it, where is it, and what mimics it in its absence?. Skeletal Radiol. , 39, 319-23. PMID: 20049593 DOI.

Mackie EJ, Ahmed YA, Tatarczuch L, Chen KS & Mirams M. (2008). Endochondral ossification: how cartilage is converted into bone in the developing skeleton. Int. J. Biochem. Cell Biol. , 40, 46-62. PMID: 17659995 DOI.

Other Textbooks

Anatomy of the Human Body (H. Gray, 1918.) historical anatomy text Osteology
Molecular Biology of the Cell Bone Is Continually Remodeled by the Cells Within It | Image: Figure 22-52. Deposition of bone matrix by osteoblasts | Image: Figure 22-56. The development of a long bone
Molecular Cell Biology Mutations in Collagen Reveal Aspects of Its Structure and Biosynthesis
The Cell- A Molecular Approach Steroid Hormones and the Steroid Receptor Superfamily
Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations 100. Alkaline Phosphatase and Gamma Glutamyltransferase
Endocrinology: An Integrated Approach by Nussey, S.S. and Whitehead, S.A. Endocrinology: Definition and causes of osteoporosis
Developmental Biology 6th ed. by Gilbert, Scott F. Figure 14.13. Schematic diagram of endochondral ossification | Aging: The Biology of Senescence

Search

Bookshelf ossification | endochondral ossification | intramembranous ossification

Pubmed ossification

Terms

Bone Terms

Bone Development

appendicular skeleton - the part of the human skeleton is associated with the limbs, the appendicular skeleton.

axial skeleton - the part of the human skeleton consisting of the skull, auditory ossicles, hyoid bone, vertebral column, sternum and ribs. image The other part of the human skeleton is associated with the limbs, the appendicular skeleton.

canaliculi - (singular, canaliculus) small channel in the bone matrix in which an osteocyte process lies and communicates with other osteocytes and the Haversian canal. Allow osteocytes to communicate with each other and to exchange substances by diffusion.

cartilage - connective tissue from mesoderm in the embryo forms most of the initial skeleton which is replaced by bone. In adult, found on the surface of bone joints.

Cbfa1 - Core-Binding Factor 1 (Runx2) transcription factor protein key to the differentiation of bone OMIM: Cbfa1

centrum - the primordium of the vertebral body formed initially by the sclerotome.

circumferential lamellae - compact bone layers that underlie the periosteum and endosteum (endosteal lamellae). (see concentric and interstitial lamellae)

clavicle - (Latin, clavicle = little key) bone which locks shoulder to body.

Cobb angle - clinical term for measuring axial skeleton abnormality. Measures coronal plane deformity on antero-posterior plain radiographs in the classification of scoliosis. Named after the American orthopedic surgeon John Robert Cobb (1903 - 1967).

concentric lamellae - compact bone layers surrounding each osteon. (see interstitial and circumferential lamellae)

desmal ossification - (intramembranous ossification) the process of mesenchyme directly ossifying into bone without a pre-existing cartilage template. Vascularised regions of mesenchymal cells proliferate and differentiate into pre-osteoblasts and then osteoblasts, occurs in parts of the skull and the clavicle.

diaphysis - anatomical term that refers to the shaft of long bones.

endochondrial ossification - the process of replacement of the cartilagenous framework by osteoblasts with bone.

endosteum - inner layer of cells lining the medullary cavity of long bones and is highly vascularised. A similar cellular region and fibrous layer lies on the outside of the bone, the periosteum.

epiphysis - anatomical term that refers to the expanded ends of long bones.

extracellular matrix - material secreted by and surrounding cells. Consists if fibers and ground substance.

fibroblast growth factors - (FGF) a family of at least 10 secreted proteins that bind membrane tyrosine kinase receptors. A patterning switch with many different roles in different tissues. (FGF8 = androgen-induced growth factor (AIGF)

fibroblast growth factor receptor - receptors comprise a family of at least 4 related but individually distinct tyrosine kinase receptors (FGFR1- 4). They have a similar protein structure, with 3 immunoglobulin-like domains in the extracellular region, a single membrane spanning segment, and a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase domain.

heterotopic ossification - (HO) a disorder of extra-skeletal bone formation that occurs as a complication of trauma or in rare genetic disorders. PMID28455214

haematopoiesis (Greek, haima = "blood"; poiesis = "to make") the process of blood cell formation. In the adult, this occurs only in the bone marrow. In the embryo this occurs in other locations (yolk sac, liver, spleen, thymus) until bone develops.

Haversian canal - the central canal of an osteon (Haversian system) in compact bone, within which blood vessels and nerves travel throughout the bone.

Haversian system - (osteon) the historic name for the functional unit of compact bone. Consists of a central canal (Haversian canal) surrounded by lamellar bone matrix within which osteocytes reside. Named after Clopton Havers (1650-1702) an English physician and anatomist. PMID12999959

Howship's lacuna - (resorptive bay) the historic name for the shallow bay or cavity lying directly under an osteoclast. This is the site of bone matrix resorption. Named after John Howship (1781–1841) a British anatomist who identified this region in 1820.

hyoid bone - part of the axial skeleton, is a U-shape bone in the neck that anchors the tongue and is associated with swallowing.

interstitial lamellae - compact bone layers that fill in between each osteon, interstitial lamellae, and do appear part of any Haversian system. (see concentric and circumferential lamellae)

intramembranous ossification - (desmal ossification) the process of mesenchyme directly ossifying into bone without a pre-existing cartilage template. Vascularised regions of mesenchymal cells proliferate and differentiate into pre-osteoblasts and then osteoblasts, occurs in parts of the skull and the clavicle.

lacuna - (Latin, lacuna = “ditch, gap” diminutive form of lacus = “lake”) lacunae is the plural, cavity in bone or cartilage for cell.

lamellar bone - the highly organized strong bone matrix deposited in concentric sheets with a low proportion of osteocytes. Many collagen fibers parallel to each other in the same layer. Replaces woven bone.

medullary cavity - (bone marrow) refers to the cavity within the bone, that is lined with cells (endosteum) and filled with bone marrow. in the adult, this can also be identified as either red or yellow marrow.

mesenchymal progenitor cells - (MPCs) cells able to differentiate in various types of connective tissue, including cartilage, bone and adipose tissue.

metaphysis - anatomical term that connecting region, that lies between the diaphysis and epiphysial line.

Moiré topography - clinical term for measuring axial skeleton abnormality. Measures spinal deviations using Moiré topography, a biosteriometric method producing a three-dimensional image of the shape of the trunk.

osteoblast - The mesenchymal cells that differentiate to form the cellular component of bone and produce bone matrix. Mature osteoblasts are called osteocytes. (More? bone)

osteoclast - Cells that remove bone (bone resorption) by enzymatically eroding the bone matrix. These cells are monocyte-macrophage in origin and fuse to form a multinucleated osteoclast. These cells allow continuous bone remodelling and are also involved in calcium and phosphate metabolism. The erosion cavity that the cells lie iwithin and form is called Howship's lacuna. (More? bone)

osteocyte - The mature bone-forming cell, which form the cellular component of bone and produce bone matrix. Differentiate from osteoblasts, mesenchymal cells that differentiate to form bone. (More? bone)

osteon - (Haversian system) the functional unit of compact bone. Consists of a central canal (Haversian canal) surrounded by lamellar bone matrix within which osteocytes reside.

pedicle - (Latin, pediculus = small foot) part of the vertebral arch forming the segment between the transverse process and the vertebral body.

periosteum - the cellular region and fibrous layer lying on the outside of the bone.

primary centre of ossification - the first area where bone growth occurs between the periosteum and cartilage.

resorptive bay - (Howship's lacuna) the shallow bay or cavity lying directly under an osteoclast. This is the site of bone matrix resorption.

sclerotome - ventromedial half of each somite that forms the vertebral body and intervertebral disc.

Scoliometry - clinical term for measuring axial skeleton abnormality using a Pedi-Scoliometer (Pedihealth Oy, Oulu, Finland) to measure spine deviation.

Sharpey’s fibres - (SF) “perforating fibres” provide anchorage for the periosteum and in tooth anchorage.

suture - in the skull a form of articulation where the contiguous margins of the bones are united by a thin layer of fibrous tissue.

trabecular bone - lamellar bone not forming Haversian systems.

woven bone - the first deposited weaker bone matrix with many osteocytes and a matrix disorganized structure. Replaced by lamellar bone. Seen in developing, healing and bone disease.

Other Terms Lists
Terms Lists: ART \| Birth \| Bone \| Cardiovascular \| Cell Division \| Endocrine \| Gastrointestinal \| Genital \| Genetic \| Head \| Hearing \| Heart \| Immune \| Integumentary \| Neonatal \| Neural \| Oocyte \| Palate \| Placenta \| Radiation \| Renal \| Respiratory \| Spermatozoa \| Statistics \| Tooth \| Ultrasound \| Vision \| Historic \| Drugs \| Glossary

Axial skeleton

Appendicular skeleton

canaliculus - (plural, canaliculi) small channel in the bone matrix in which an osteocyte process lies and communicates with other osteocytes and the Haversian canal.
haematopoiesis (Greek, haima = "blood"; poiesis = "to make") the process of blood cell formation.
Haversian canal - the central canal of an osteon (Haversian system) in compact bone, within which blood vessels and nerves travel throughout the bone.
Haversian system - (osteon) the historic name for the functional unit of compact bone. Consists of a central canal (Haversian canal) surrounded by lamellar bone matrix within which osteocytes reside.
Howship's lacuna - (resorptive bay) the historic name for the shallow bay or cavity lying directly under an osteoclast. This is the site of bone matrix resorption.
lacuna - (Latin, lacuna = “ditch, gap” diminutive form of lacus = “lake”) lacunae is the plural, cavity in bone or cartilage for cell.
lamellar bone - the highly organized strong bone matrix deposited in concentric sheets with a low proportion of osteocytes. Many collagen fibers parallel to each other in the same layer.
osteon - (Haversian system) the functional unit of compact bone. Consists of a central canal (Haversian canal) surrounded by lamellar bone matrix within which osteocytes reside.
resorptive bay - (Howship's lacuna) the shallow bay or cavity lying directly under an osteoclast. This is the site of bone matrix resorption.
suture - in the skull a form of articulation where the contiguous margins of the bones are united by a thin layer of fibrous tissue.
woven bone - the first deposited weaker bone matrix with many osteocytes and a matrix disorganized structure. Replaced by lamellar bone. Seen in developing, healing and bone disease.

Glossary Links

Glossary: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Numbers | Symbols | Term Link

Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2023, December 11) Embryology Bone Histology. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Bone_Histology

What Links Here?

[PMID20049593-1] Dwek JR. (2010). The periosteum: what is it, where is it, and what mimics it in its absence?. Skeletal Radiol. , 39, 319-23. PMID: 20049593 DOI.

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