Haversian microstructure in bovine femoral cortices: An adaptation for improved compressive strength.

Microstructural variations in bovine femoral cortices and its possible implications for the bone's mechanical behavior are characterized for a mature and a young bovine femur. Histological examination at several locations shows the presence of Haversian systems to be largely confined to the posterior region of any cross-section. Haversian bone is shown to have higher compressive strength than the non-Haversian primary bone present in the corresponding anterior regions. The anatomical variation in the compressive strength along diaphysis is found to correlate strongly with the Haversian density. Based on the differences in the failure surfaces observed from compressive failure, it is argued that the presence of Haversian systems plays a role in deflection of crack path, leading to non-prismatic failure surfaces. As biomaterials, such as bone cement and implants, closely interact with bone material, the structure-property relation established here can provide a basis for better design of future biomaterials.