Edit page | Page history | Printable version

Definition

noun, plural: cortical bones

A type of osseous tissue consisting of closely packed osteons or haversian systems, and forms the extremely hard exterior of bones.

Supplement

Because of the closely packed osteons and multiple stacked layers with few gaps on this tissue, the compact bone is extremely hard and dense (compared with the cancellous bone). These features of compact bone are vital to serve its function in providing support to the body and protecting the organs. It also provides levers for movement and store minerals (similar to cancellous bone).

Word origin: cortical: L. cortex bark: cf. F. cortical.; bone: Middle English bon, from Old English bān.

Synonym: compact bone, cortical substance, substantia corticalis.
Compare: cancellous bone.
See also: osseous tissue.