What structure is found at the center of an osteon and contains blood vessels and nerves?

What structure is found at the center of an osteon and contains blood vessels and nerves?

• A. Central canal
• B. Interstitial lamellae
• C. Periosteum
• D. Volkmann's canal

Answer: (A)

Osteons are the basic units of compact bone, built with a central passage and surrounding rings. At the center of each osteon sits the central canal, a channel that contains blood vessels and nerves to bring nutrients and signals into the bone tissue. The canal is surrounded by concentric lamellae with osteocytes housed in lacunae and connected by canaliculi, which allow exchange of nutrients and waste. Perforating canals (Volkmann's canals) run perpendicular to the osteons to connect central canals with each other and with the outer periosteum and inner medullary cavity. The periosteum is the outer membrane covering the bone, and interstitial lamellae are remnants of older osteons. Thus, the central canal is the structure at the center of an osteon that contains blood vessels and nerves.

Osteons are the basic units of compact bone, built with a central passage and surrounding rings. At the center of each osteon sits the central canal, a channel that contains blood vessels and nerves to bring nutrients and signals into the bone tissue. The canal is surrounded by concentric lamellae with osteocytes housed in lacunae and connected by canaliculi, which allow exchange of nutrients and waste. Perforating canals (Volkmann's canals) run perpendicular to the osteons to connect central canals with each other and with the outer periosteum and inner medullary cavity. The periosteum is the outer membrane covering the bone, and interstitial lamellae are remnants of older osteons. Thus, the central canal is the structure at the center of an osteon that contains blood vessels and nerves.