Microanatomical features of bones and their basic measurement

Abstract : Microanatomy is the integration level between anatomy and histology. It deals with structural details ranging in size from some 100 to 200 µm to several millimeters. From a functional perspective, this is a fundamental level because it considers inner bone architecture and the many measurements that can be made on it, which is an essential question for assessing the mechanical involvements and competence of the bones. Microanatomy also deals with gross epiphyseal characteristics and with the presence, density and geometric arrangement of vascular networks in cortices. In paleohistological descriptions, and the paleophysiological inferences based on them, the geometric arrangement of the vascular networks is of prime importance. Microanatomical investigations have rapidly developed during the last two decades, in concert with new methodological approaches. This chapter summarizes some of the most important aspects of the microanatomical structure of bones for the emergent questions mentioned above.