THE BASIC STRUCTURE OF BONES - 1
Bones are a type of connective tissue containing specialized resident cells derived from the mesenchyme and a hard extracellular matrix.
This matrix is quite unique, as it is formed by an organic portion and a mineralized portion.
Main features of the matrix:
- A predominance of type I collagen fibers in the organic matrix, as well as proteoglycans, glycoproteins and several other molecules, some of which exclusive to or characteristic of bones.
- The inorganic matrix is calcified due to the deposition of calcium phosphate on the collagen fibrils forming crystals of hydroxyapatite.
As collagen fibers stain well with eosin, the bone matrix appears pink in bone sections after staining them with H&E, unlike the cartilage matrix that stains bluish/blue by hematoxylin.
Histological sections of bones and teeth
Hard tissues require special methodologies to obtain histological sections. Click on the links to examine some 0f them Peparation of hard tissues – bone and teeth – 1 and Peparation of hard tissues – bone and teeth – 2