Microstructural And Mechanical Properties Of Human Ribs Joseph

consider the remodeling aspect of bone for this study because otherwise, the orientation of
osteons in the cortical bone of the ribs would seem to be of little importance.
Cortical bone is formed through the combination of osteons and lamellar bone as
previously described. The adaptation of cortical bone has been shown to be a result of the
growth of secondary osteons through primary bone (Bain 1990, Bouvier 1981,1996, Burr
1985, 1989, 1993, Carter 1984, 1987, Hert 1972, Hylander 1979,1991, Lanyon
1976,1984,1993, Martin 1992, Rubin 1988). It is the orientation of these osteons that are
responsible for the mechanical characteristics of cortical bone. Therefore, an improved
understanding of how cortical bone adapts may be determined by knowing the orientation
of osteons in cortical bone.
The orientation of osteons dictates the preferred loading direction of the bone and
therefore provides insight into the mechanical loading of the bone in vivo. Previous
research on bone adaptation provides proof of its existence and, therefore, knowledge of
the orientation of new bone formed by secondary osteons can be used to reinforce isotropic
properties determined through mechanical testing. However, the actual strength of the
bone can only be determined through mechanical testing methods. Knowledge of the
microstructural and mechanical properties of the human rib may be used together to
account for strength variations that occur between ribs at each level as well as sections of a
single rib.
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