Bone’s Compression Resistance: A Symphony Of Constituents And Architecture
Bone’s resistance to compression stems from a multifaceted interplay of its constituents. Collagen fibers impart tensile strength, flexibility, and elasticity, allowing bones to withstand tensile forces without snapping. Mineral crystals, composed primarily of hydroxyapatite, provide hardness, stiffness, and compressive strength. Interlocking lamellae reinforce the bone structure, preventing crack propagation. Trabecular architecture, with its high density, contributes to load-bearing capacity and compression resistance. The shape and size of bones also influence their ability to withstand compression, with larger and more structurally efficient bones exhibiting greater resistance.
