Haversian canal

A Haversian canal (syn. Haversscher channel ) is the central canal in the center of an osteon, the basic functional unit in the cortical bone ( substantia compacta ). He is surrounded concentrically by 5-20 microns thick bone lamellae. Inside there are small blood vessels with endothelial fenestriertem ( sinusoids ), and often non- myelinated nerve fibers. Thus, a Haversian canal is used for nutrient supply and transmission of stimuli. About so-called canals ( canaliculi ) the bone cells ( osteocytes ) with the Haversian canal related. Haversian adjacent channels are connected together by Volkmann's canals.

The British physician Clopton Havers (1657-1702) discovered the eponymous channels in 1691st