Metabolic pathways of the fossil dinosaur bones Part II. Vascular canal in the communication system

Abstract

Examination was made on the fossil dinosaur bone 80 million years old. Samples to be examined were prepared by specially elaborated methods. The vascular canal of the dinosaur bone was the object of study. The microscopic and ultrastructural images of the canal revealed three zones therein: proper, perivascular, and vascular. The zone proper was formed by the mineralized wall of the canal, the perivascular zone was a space between the proper and the vascular zone, and the vascular zone was made up of the canal contents identified with blood vessels. The perivascular zone contained collagen fibres; moreover, histochemical examinations revealed in it mucopolysaccharides and lipids. In the wall of the vascular canal (zone proper) the outlets of the bone canaliculi departing from the osteocyte lacunae were detected. The endings of these canaliculi were of two kinds: they were either of the same diameter as the rest of the canaliculus (more numerous) or assumed a widening funnel form as the canaliculi reached the vascular canal (less numerous). By analogy with modern bone appropriate functions may be ascribed to particular zones distinguished in the vascular canal and to the varied endings of the bone canaliculi in the system of conveyance of nutrient and conservative elements as well as metabolites.