Perforating canal

Definition

A perforating canal, also known as Volkmann's canal, is a channel within bone tissue that allows blood vessels and nerves to connect the outer part of the bone with its interior. These canals run perpendicular to the long axis of the bone and intersect with the central canals of osteons.

Related terms

Osteon: The fundamental functional unit of compact bone, consisting of concentric layers of calcified matrix surrounding a central canal.

Central Canal: A canal running up the center of an osteon, containing blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels that supply the bone cells with nutrients.

Compact Bone:

The dense, hard layer of bone tissue that forms the outer shell of bones and provides strength and structure