What is compact bone?
1 Answer
Jun 10, 2014
Bone consisting of a central Haversian canal surrounded by concentric rings of a hard, virtually solid mass of bony tissue intruded by minute canals called canaliculi.
Compact bone forms the dense outer shell of bones. It has a smooth and homogeneous appearance.
Compact bone is dense and solid in appearance, whereas cancellous (spongy) bone is characterized by open space partially filled with needle-like structures.
Bone tissue:
Most distinctive form of connective tissue.
Extracellular components are hard and calcified.
Rigidity of bone allows it to serve its supportive and protective functions.
Tensile strength is nearly equal to cast iron at less than one third the weight.
