View high resolution
Bird bone tissue. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of cancellous (spongy) bone from a robin. This tissue, found in the interior of bones, is characterised by a honeycomb arrangement of trabeculae (columns) and spaces. This honeycomb structure provides support and strength to the bone. Magnification: x 15 when printed 10 centimetres wide.
Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of cancellous (spongy) bone of the human shin. Bone tissue is either compact or cancellous. Compact bone usually makes up the exterior of the bone, while cancellous bone is found in the interior. Cancellous bone is characterised by a honeycomb arrangement of trabeculae. These structures help to provide support and strength. The spaces within this tissue normally contain bone marrow, a blood forming substance.
View high resolution
Bone tissue. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of cancellous (spongy) bone. Bone tissue can be either cortical (compact) or cancellous. Cortical bone usually makes up the exterior of the bone, while cancellous bone is found in the interior. Cancellous bone is characterised by a honeycomb arrangement, comprising a network of trabeculae (rod-shaped tissue). These structures provide support and strength to the bone. The spaces within this tissue contain bone marrow (not seen), a blood forming substance. Magnification: x25 when printed 10 centimetres wide.
View high resolution
Osteoblast bone cell. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an osteoblast (centre) in bone tissue. Osteoblasts are primarily found in regions of new bone growth. They produce and secrete osteoid, a matrix of new bone tissue composed of collagen fibrils and other structural proteins. As soon as osteoid is formed, calcium salts crystallise inside it to form hard, mineralised bone. Magnification: x8000 when printed 10 centimetres wide.
View high resolution
Bone tissue. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a section through an osteoclast bone cell in reabsorbing bone matrix, showing the cell’s nucleus (round, centre). Osteoclasts remodel bone by degrading and reabsorbing it in response to growth or changing mechanical stress. A border of complex branching microprojections (thread-like) can be seen anchoring the cell to the bone matrix. Magnification: x2500 when printed 10 centimetres wide.
View high resolution
Osteoporotic bone, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This is a close-up of the porous structure inside an osteoporotic bone. Osteoporosis (brittle bone disease) causes a reduction in bone density and an increase in porosity, resulting in increased brittleness and a greater risk of fracture. Magnification: x65 when printed at 10 centimetres wide.
View high resolution
Osteoporosis. False-colour scanning electron micrograph of the trabeculae in the cancellous (spongy) bone tissue affected by osteoporosis. The cancellous tissue fills the interior of the bones and in osteoporosis its density decreases, increasing the brittleness of the bones and the probability of fractures. In this case, a spinal vertebra is affected and many small round dark areas on the bone are empty. Osteoporosis usually affects women, above all after the menopause, because their ovaries no longer produce oestrogen hormones which help to maintain bone mass. Magnification: x30 at 6x7cm size. Magnification: x55 at 4x5 inch size.
