Bone architecture and image synthesis.

3-D bone architecture can now be measured by micro-computer tomography or micro-magnetic resonance imaging. The principles of the micro-computer technique is reviewed and new architectural parameters can be computed. In addition, the method allows the contruction of polymer models by stereolithography, a method that can be used to perform repetitive mechanical studies on the same bone sample. These non destructive methods are interesting in the pre-clinical studies on bone diseases and in the investigation of animal trials on new pharmacological compounds active on bone.