Relations among mechanical properties, collagen fibers, and calcification in adult human cortical bone.

Almfrmt-The relations of II ‘mate tensile stress and strain and modulus of elasticity to 2 col@en fiber orieatotioa an dtgrue of calcifkation were studied in thirty-six standardized specimens of unembahned cortical bone from adult human tibias. Highly significant positive comhtionswmfoundkovtcnt~tsatssandsrrrir!aad~afdukoneonsiatbe break area. A similar correlation occurred brrtween tensile sti and dark osteons plus flagmerits. Tensile stress and strain had highly significant negative cotrelations with light osteons and their frapwts but a lower negative correlation with immediate osteons. Siiificaut negative cot&&ions were found between the b&me&&e mdioIuceat and the marked radiokent osW and ttnsilt sutss imd ourin. respecti+. ParWing out interSt&ial amsllae qad inWme&aQ radiokent areas reveakd si&icant positke and wgative corteiations between tam& stress and dark and light osteons. respactivtly. hio significant correlations occurred between modulus of elasticity and any of the histological variables.