Three-dimensional analysis of cortical bone structure using X-ray micro-computed tomography

We demonstrate the capability of X-ray micro-computed tomography to image the micro-structure of human cortical bone. At 5 μm voxel size we observe the complex morphology of the Haversian network in three dimensions. The local thickness of Haversian canals is measured using a maximal sphere algorithm and found to have a bimodal signature and a mean radius of 19.2 μm. The intra-cortical porosity due to Haversian canals is measured as 3.0%. Both results are in agreement with traditional histomorphometric measurements. We show that at higher resolutions one can resolve the spatial distribution of lacunae in cortical bone.