Bone tissue: microscopic preparation

In a decalcified bone preparation, the organic matrix (fibers and ground substance) and cells are preserved (fixed). The inorganic matrix of calcium phosphate is removed either by treatment with dilute acids or calcium chelating agents. The tissue is then prepared like any other non-calcified tissue. While the cells and organic matrix are well preserved, the fine structure of the matrix is less evident.

In a ground bone preparation, organic components are not preserved, so bone cells and organic matrix are not present. What remains is the inorganic matrix of calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite). Internal spaces within the bone appear black in this preparation. To prepare this tissue, an unfixed bone is finely ground until it is thin enough to transmit light. The fine structure of the matrix is seen in excellent detail.

Osteocytes are retained in the decalcified preparation between layers of matrix.

Osteocytes are not retained in the ground bone preparation. The lacunae in which they are located appear as elongated black spaces.

The matrix of mature bone is highly ordered, organized into sheets or lamellae. Lamellae on the inner and outer surfaces of a bone are arranged as flattened plates. In other areas, lamellae are concentrically arranged into cylinders (Haversian systems) that surround a lumen. For both, osteocytes are located in lacunae between the lamellae. Lamellae are better visualized in the ground bone preparation.

Bone tissue on the inner and outer surfaces of a bone can be organized into flattened, plates that extend around the periphery of the bone (outer circumferential lamellae) or encircle the marrow space (inner circumferential lamellae). Only outer circumferential lamellae are shown here.

In regions between the inner and outer circumferential lamella, the matrix is organized into the concentrically arranged lamellae that form Haversian systems.

In regions between the inner and outer circumferential lamella, the matrix is organized into the concentrically arranged lamellae that form Haversian systems.

Images taken of slides in the Nova Southeastern University and University of Michigan slide collections.