Simplified model of bone mineral and collagen fibrils in fully dense cortical bone.

Abstract

<p>Model is based on measurements from longitudinal and cross-sections of cortical bone. 45 nm-diameter collagen fibrils are shown with 40 nm-long gap zones (light) and 27 nm overlap zones (dark). Plate-like mineral structures 5 nm thick, 65 nm wide, 200 nm long tangentially surround the collagen fibrils. Mineral structures are shown stacked 4-deep between adjacent fibrils, as inferred from average inter-fibril separation and 5 nm thickness of mineral structures. A more accurate model would show mineral structures more completely surrounding each fibril (as seen in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0029258#pone-0029258-g003" target="_blank">Fig. 3a</a>).</p