1University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’, Department of Bio-pathology, Policlinico ‘Umberto I’, Viale Regina Elena 324, I-00161 Rome, Italy
The bending properties of two fully calcified osteon types (longitudinal and alternate) have been investigated in 62 cylindrical samples by applying the technique of three-point bending loading. The bending of each sample was recorded using a microwave micrometer based on the cavity and pulse technique. It has been shown that alternate osteons are better able to withstand bending stress than longitudinal ones.
This result offers a definitive explanation for the high concentration of transverse lamellae in pathologically bowed bone shaft.