haversian canal

ha·ver·sian canal

noun, often capitalized H \hə-ˌvər-zhən-\

Definition of HAVERSIAN CANAL

: any of the small canals through which the blood vessels ramify in bone

Biographical Note for HAVERSIAN CANAL

Ha·vers \ˈhā-vərz, ˈhav-ərz\ , Clopton (1655?–1702), British osteologist. In 1691 Havers published the first detailed description of the microscopic structure of the bone lamellae and canals and made important observations on the physiology of bone growth and repair. Although Antoni van Leeuwenhoek had observed the haversian canals in 1686, and Malpighi had mentioned the bone lamellae in 1675, Havers' work is remembered particularly because of its full and systematic treatment.

Illustration of HAVERSIAN CANAL