Basic Multicellular Units (BMUs) are groups of cells responsible for the coordination of resorption and formation in cortical bone remodeling. Due to a lack of three‐dimensional (3D) methods, relatively little is known regarding BMU spatio‐temporal ‘behavior’. It has, for example, been hypothesized that all remodeling events are targeted towards microdamage and thus BMU ‘steering’ is an essential aspect of this process. A previous 2D study involving Ursus americanus (black bear) bone revealed extensive active remodeling spaces; thus providing a unique platform for the current study. We sought to characterize the 3D morphology of BMUs to assess the extent of steering as indicated by sudden changes in trajectory. Micro‐CT of metacarpal and metatarsal diaphyses (n=4) provided an unprecedented number of BMUs (3,144) for analysis. Results indicated that majority of BMUs were oriented along the longitudinal axes of the diaphysis. Overwhelmingly, BMUs had a roughly linear course with little evidence of sudden changes in course or branching. This suggests that the BMUs observed were largely untargeted or targeting is tightly associated with the initiation rather than progression of BMUs.
Grant Funding Source: Supported by the CIHR Training grant in Health Research Using Synchrotron Techniques
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