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6607063 
Journal Article 
Patterns of vascular channels in the cortex of the human mandible 
Dempster, WT; Enlow, DH 
1959 
1 
Anatomical Record
ISSN: 1932-8486
EISSN: 1932-8494 
135 
(3) 
189-205 
BCI:BCI19603500037575 
The inner and outer cortical plates of macerated half mandibles, after leaching in hot ethylenediamine to remove all organic matter, were immersed in dilute India ink under vacuum; the vascular channels within the cortex became filled and on drying and removal of surface carbon, the bone was cleared in styrene. Low power microscopy of different areas of the cortex, when trans-illuminated, shows complex three-dimensional meshes of carbon filled canals. The mesh for most areas has a dominant orientation; the longer canals have a length of about 750 [mu] with calibers of approximately 40 [mu] down to 15 [mu]. Cross branches are generally below average size. In certain regions many Volkmann canals joined into the mesh. At random intervals, enlarged canals and resorptive spaces at canal junctions may be found; in some bones these are notably more frequent than in others. From the general orientation of vascular canals the surfaces of the inner and outer cortical plates of the mandible have been subdivided into some 11 tracts of oste-ones; three of these extend from one condyle across the symphysis to the other. Variant patterns have been described. Ground sections of bone removed prior to deorganifying, preparation and clearing of the mandible were compared with adjacent cleared bone. They show areas of primary (non-Haversian) bone, of secondary bone and of bone remodeling; they also give supplementary data on osteone thickness and the degree of overlapping of osteone tracts. || ABSTRACT AUTHORS: Auth. summ