Isolation of single osteons and osteon lamellae.

Single human osteons were isolated by propagating fractures along their natural boundaries. Furthermore, decalcified osteons were mechanically manipulated to expose their interlamellar interfaces, making possible the study of collagen fibers by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Isolation of single osteons of a wide range of lengths, as described in this paper, makes possible for the first time the study of their mechanical properties in all possible modes. SEM studies of exposed lamellar interfaces reveal that collagen fiber orientations are more complex than previously suggested and suggest further studies in an effort to solve past controversies on collagen fiber orientations in human bone.