Observations on the structure and development of bone / by John Tomes and Campbell de Morgan.

  • John Tomes
Date:
[1853]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the structure and development of bone / by John Tomes and Campbell de Morgan. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    bones altogether destitute of circumferential laminae, and very few with these laminae complete; while the encircling of several Haversian systems with laminae common to the whole is the exception rather than the rule. In the progress of their investigations the authors have failed to discover any instances in which pre-existing laminae, partially absorbed, have become continuous with newly-developed ones, end to end; indeed there seems good reason for supposing that such seldom, if ever occurs, otherwise the Haversian systems would not be so strongly marked, neither should we have the festooned outline to the systems lying against the cut ends of the laminae, in the manner shown in Plates VI. and VII. figs. 1 and 10. In examining Haversian systems divided transversely, one will be occasionally found in which the canal has been completely obliterated by the development of a lacunal cell in its centre. This condition is illustrated in fig. 1 c. Ossified Cartilage of Joints.—Dr. Sharpe y has shown that beneath the articular cartilage lies a layer of bone produced by the gradual ossification of this tissue*. Professor KoLLiKER-f- has observed this form of bone to be present in all the articu- lations, excepting that of the jaw and the hyoid bone, in which situations he has failed to detect it. The authors have numerous sections from the articular process of the lower jaw, in all of which it is present, and although in smaller amount than is usually found in corresponding parts of other bones, still it is sufficiently distinct. The pecu- liarity of the articular bone consists in the maintenance of the same arrangement of parts as existed in the cartilage prior to its conversion into bone. The cells for the most part are arranged in groups or in lines parallel with the long axis of the bone, each cell presenting a roundish mass surrounded by granules, and rendered rather indefinite in outline. Not uncommonly several cells become connected end to end, thus producing an elongated form. It is when in this condition that the cells and basement tissue may be restored to the appearance of cartilage by the use of hydro- chloric acid. Occasionally, however, a cell becomes converted into a well-developed lacuna, and near the ordinary bone the cells may be seen in more or less advanced stages towards their conversion (Plate VII. fig. 17). In the ossified cartilage, when the tissue attains a considerable thickness, broad and ill-defined lines or bands of opacity may generally be found running parallel with the articular surface, and giving a stratified character to the part in which they are situated, as shown in fig. 17 b. When seen by transmitted light, these lines appear of * Dr. Quain’s Anatomy, fifth edition, by Mr. Quain and Dr. Sharpey, part ii. page 158. “ In the slow growth of bone which encroaches on the attached surface of articular cartilage, the ossification would almost seem to be produced merely by the impregnation of the cartilaginous matrix with earthy matter (correspond- ing with the first step of the ordinary process) ; and in this case, the cells and clusters of cells being surrounded by calcified matrix, may remain as little vacuities or lacunae in the bone; but this as well as the formation of lacunae in the crusta petrosa of the teeth, and the production of adventitious bony deposits in different textures, requires further investigation.” t Kolliker, page 318, oper. cit.
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