| Canaliculi are literally translated as "little canals" in latin. Fine cracks seen crossing the lamellae (or layers) of compact bone, these fine openings allow blood to cross from the Haversian Canals in the center of each osteonic (or Haversian) system to the osteocytes (bone cells) located in lacunae ("little caves") scattered through the rings (lamellae). Thus, the osteocytes are not starved for nutrients even though they are locked inside a calcified matrix. This is not the answer that I was looking for, however! Lets return to the original question. |