Bone Tissue

Bone tissue is the dense, solid connective tissue which makes up the majority of a bone’s composition. Bone tissue expands into a ring-shaped structure called the Haversian system. The matrix is made of groups of osteon: these are comprised of individual sections of lamellae layers which surround a Haversian canal and lacunae openings that specialized cells known as the osteocytes occupy. These osteons have space for blood vessels and nerves that connect to the bone.

Bone tissue has a solid matrix compared to the chondrin found in cartilage, which is semi-solid. It is mainly made from ossein, a proteinaceous fiber made mostly of collagen, and is otherwise made of a mineral ground substance. The matrix’s solidity blocks any materials from diffusing through. Instead, materials are transported through the cytoplasm present in the tissue’s canaliculi.

Through a microscope, bone tissue will primarily appear ring-like due to the lamellae. The space in between these lamellae where the osteocyte are present may appear spider-like, especially if material is trapped within the canals, due to the thin, hollow canaliculi.