The structural unit of compact bone called the Osteon is best described as what?

The structural unit of compact bone called the Osteon is best described as what?

• A. Calcaneus
• B. Endosteum
• C. Osteon
• D. Crani/o

Answer: (C)

The structural unit of compact bone is the osteon, also known as the Haversian system. It is a cylindrical arrangement of concentric lamellae wrapped around a central Haversian canal that houses blood vessels and nerves. Osteocytes sit in small spaces called lacunae within the lamellae and connect via tiny canaliculi, which allows nutrients and signals to move between cells. This organized, circular unit repeats along the bone to create dense, strong cortical bone. For context, calcaneus is the heel bone, endosteum is the membrane lining the inner surfaces of bone, and crani/o refers to the skull.

The structural unit of compact bone is the osteon, also known as the Haversian system. It is a cylindrical arrangement of concentric lamellae wrapped around a central Haversian canal that houses blood vessels and nerves. Osteocytes sit in small spaces called lacunae within the lamellae and connect via tiny canaliculi, which allows nutrients and signals to move between cells. This organized, circular unit repeats along the bone to create dense, strong cortical bone.

For context, calcaneus is the heel bone, endosteum is the membrane lining the inner surfaces of bone, and crani/o refers to the skull.