Haversian canals are small channels found in compact bone tissue. The spelling of this word is based on the name of the anatomist who first described them, Clopton Havers. The word is pronounced /həˈvɜːrziən kəˈnælz/ using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, followed by the stressed syllable which contains a long u sound. The second word, canals, is pronounced with the first syllable being unstressed, and the second syllable represented by the vowel sound æ.
Haversian canals, also known as osteons, are microscopic cylindrical channels found in compact bone tissue. These canal systems were named after the English physician, Clopton Havers, who first described them in the 17th century. Haversian canals are key structural units of mature bones, responsible for nourishing and maintaining the bone tissue.
These canals are arranged in a concentric pattern and are surrounded by concentric layers of bone matrix called lamellae. Haversian canals contain blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels, which supply oxygen and nutrients as well as remove waste products from the bone cells. The dense structure of compact bone relies on the presence of Haversian canals, as their arrangement ensures efficient transportation of vital substances throughout the bone.
Each Haversian canal is approximately 0.1 mm in diameter and consists of a central blood vessel, also known as the Haversian artery, surrounded by concentric layers of bone cells called osteocytes. The osteocytes are interconnected through tiny channels known as canaliculi, allowing them to exchange nutrients and waste products. These canals also serve as a communication channel for bone remodeling and repair, enabling cells to interact and respond to changes in the bone's environment.
In conclusion, Haversian canals are fundamental components of compact bone tissue, responsible for its strength and vitality. They form a complex network of channels that facilitate the transportation of essential substances, ensuring the bone's continuous growth, maintenance, and repair processes.
A name given to a very complicated apparatus of minute canals found in the substance of bone.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "Haversian" in "Haversian canals" is derived from the name of the British anatomist, Dr. Clopton Havers (1650-1702). Dr. Havers discovered these tiny channels or canals in the bone tissue during the late 17th century. These canals, also known as osteonic canals, are a prominent feature of compact bone and are responsible for housing blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue necessary for the survival and maintenance of bone cells. Thus, these canals were named after Dr. Havers in recognition of his contribution to the field of bone anatomy.