Summary
Both collagen fibers and long bone exhibit similar anisotropy in several respects, strongly supporting the concept that the anisotropy of bone has its source in the contained collagen fibers which are parallel to the bone axis in mature adult mammalian bone.
Experimental information was obtained for a sample of adult bovine tibia from the midregion of the bone prepared as 22 specimens, 2 mm thick, in three orientations—axial, tangential, and radial—with respect to the measurement of sonic velocity. Thickness, sonic transit time, and weight were obtained for the original wet specimens in 0.15M saline, after dehydration at room temperature, after rehydration, and after demineralization in 0.5M EDTA solution.
The average density and volume fractions of water, mineral, and organic components closely matched those reported by Biltz and Pellegrino for bovine bone.
The distribution of orientation-dependent properties (velocity, change in velocity, and change in thickness) kept the same pattern in every state, although the intensity of the anisotropy varied. The fractional dimensional changes when samples were dehydrated were greatest in the radial direction and least in the axial, just as for collagen fibers. An almost identical decrease in thickness was observed in magnitude and distribution when the specimens were demineralized.
Estimates of the sonic velocity for bone collagen were obtained with the aid of the Lees-Davidson hypothesis. These values often matched the published values for collagen fibers, summarized as follows: -1107-1
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Currey, J.D.: Three analogies to explain the mechanical properties of bone, Bioreheology2:1–10, 1964
Lees, S., Davidson, C.L.: The role of collagen in the elastic properties of calcified tissues, J. Biomechan.10:473–486, 1977
Glimcher, M.J.: Composition, structure and organization of bone and other mineralized tissues and the mechanism of calcification. In R.O. Greep, E.B. Astwood, (eds): Handbook of Physiology, Section 7—Endocrinology VII, pp. 15–116. American Physiology Society, Washington, D.C., 1976
Lees, S.: A model for the distribution of HAP crystallites in bone—a hypothesis, Calcif. Tissue Int.27:53–56, 1979
Evans, F.G.: Mechanical Properties of Bone. Charles C Thomas, Springfield, Ill., 1973
Lang, S.B.: Ultrasonic method for measuring elastic constants of bone and results on fresh and dried bovine bones, IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng.17:101–105, 1970
Yoon, H.S., Katz, J.L.: Ultrasonic wave propagation in human cortical bone. II. Measurements of elastic properties and microhardness, J. Biomechan.9:459–464, 1976
Musgrave, M.J.P.: Crystal Acoustics. Holden-Day, San Francisco, 1970
Mello, M.L.S., Vidal, B.C., de Carvalho, A.C., Caseiro-Filho, A.C.: Change with age of anisotropic properties of collagen bundles, Gerontology25:2–8, 1979
Harley, R., James, D., Miller, A., White, J.D.: Phonons and the elastic moduli of collagen and muscle, Nature267:285–287, 1977
Goss, S.A., O’Brien, W.D.: Direct ultrasonic measurements of mammalian collagen threads, J. Acoust. Soc. Am.65:507–511, 1979
Rougvie, M.A., Bear, R.S.: An X-ray diffraction investigation of swelling by collagen, J. Am. Leather Chemists Assoc.48:735–751, 1953
Elden, H.R.: Physical properties of collagen fibers, Int. Rev. Connect. Tissue Res.4:283–348, 1968
Marino, A.A., Becker, R.O., Bachman, C.H.: Dielectric determination of bound water of bone, Phys. Med. Biol.12:367–378, 1967
Biltz, R.M., Pellegrino, E.D.: The chemical anatomy of bone, J. Bone Joint Surg.51A:456–466, 1969
Herring, G.M.: The organic matrix of bone. In G.H. Bourne (ed.): The Biochemistry and Physiology of Bone, Vol. I. Academic Press, New York, 1972
Frasca, P., Harper, R.A., Katz, J.L.: Mineral and collagen orientation in human secondary osteons, J. Dent. Res.57:526–533, 1978
Robinson, R.A., Elliott, S.R.: The water content of bone, J. Bone Joint Surg.39A:167–188, 1957
Katz, E.P., Li, S.T.: Structure and function of bone collagen fibrils, J. Mol. Biol.80:1–15, 1973
Cited by Katz, J.L.: Hard tissue as a composite material—bounds on the elastic behavior. J. Biomechan.4:455–473, 1971
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lees, S., Heeley, J.D. & Cleary, P.F. A study of some properties of a sample of bovine cortical bone using ultrasound. Calcif Tissue Int 29, 107–117 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02408065
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02408065