STRUCTURE OF OSSEOUS TISSUE. 



123 



section of bone 740 on the average in man; the number 

 varying from 780 to 800. Harting gives 910. 



From these, as shown in fig. 11, the above-mentioned 

 branched and anastomosing processes are given off in all direc- 

 tions, but especially at right angles to the lamellae, and in the 

 direction of the medullary canals. These processes do not, 

 however, run in a single plane, but are much curved, and hence 

 in thin sections of bone, whether transverse or longitudinal, 

 we meet with them cut either transversely or more or less 

 obliquely ; and they may either appear still in connection with 



i. 11. 



J 



Fig. 11. Bone corpuscles with their processes, as seen in a thin section 

 of human hone. 



the corpuscles, or a portion only of their course may be seen ; or, 

 lastly, their communication with each other may alone be brought 

 into view (fig. 11). In good sections the fine canaliculi may be 

 followed either to the surface of the bone, or to the medullary 

 canals and spaces where they terminate by open mouths, or 

 they may reach to the ends of bones invested with cartilage, 

 in which case they terminate in blind pointed extremities. 



M 



