The structure and biomechanics of bone

Abstract

An attempt has been made to present a uniform view of studies of bone which have as their raison d'etre an understanding of the 'form-function' relationship. This is the key to understanding the mechanisms controlling the growth, development and behavior of bone as a dynamic biological system in its response to the mechanical stresses imposed through both normal and pathological conditions. Studies of structure at various levels of organization were presented both in themselves as well as where correlated with mechanical measurements; similarly, mechanical measurements alone were described as well as studies in which the mechanical properties were correlated with structural studies. These studies are presenting sufficient details for a picture to begin to form with enough resolution to provide a standard against which to test models which attempt to describe Wolff's Law mechanisms (form predicating function nd vice versa) as well as models which attempt to understand what is responsible for the material properties of bone. The hierarchical composite modeling which closes this paper is such an attempt at the latter problem. The modeling is rooted in both the structural studies and mechanical measurements thus closing the loop.