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How are lamellae arranged in mature compact bone?
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bone
A long bone of the human body, showing a magnified cross section of the interior.
In mature compact bone, lamellae are organized into structural units known as osteons (or Haversian systems). Within these units, the lamellae are arranged in concentric, cylindrical layers that surround a central, hollow passageway called the Haversian canal.123
These osteons typically run parallel to the long axis of the bone and exhibit a gently spiral course. In addition to these concentric layers, the spaces located between adjacent osteons are filled with interstitial lamellae, which are often remnants of previous Haversian systems. The entire structure is characterized by a layered, or lamellar, organization where collagen fibrils and osteocytes are aligned in clear, alternating layers.132