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Slide 02
This specimen has been prepared from a small bone chip, by first removing all organic material and then grinding the mineral matrix into a slab thin enough to transmit light.
(Other slides of bone in our set -- slides 03, 04, 05, 08 -- represent decalcified bone from which the mineral has been removed, while leaving behind cells and organic matrix.)
Lacunae and canaliculi appear black, even though they are empty, due to optical effects. In life, these spaces are occupied by osteocytes. The gritty texture which may be observed within most Haversian canals of this specimen is bone dust, an artifact of preparation by grinding.
For additional information, see bone or click on the thumbnail at right.
Comments and questions: dgking@siu.edu
Department of Zoology e-mail: zoology@zoology.siu.edu
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SIUC / College of Science / Zoology / David King / ZOOL 409