RESUMO
The three-dimensional architecture of growing canine compact bone was investigated by generating a composite virtual model including both cellular and extracellular elements. Serial trichrome-stained histological sections were prepared from samples of the diaphysis of the humerus of six week old Beagle puppies. Identical fields of vision were recorded in consecutive sections, preprocessed in Adobe Photoshop 5.5, and then transferred into the program AVS/Express for 3D-reconstruction and visualization. Based on two different but integrated reconstruction techniques a hybrid model was created, depicting shape and orientation of bony trabeculae as well as the distribution of osteoblasts. This virtual model could be explored and navigated in with real time interactivity, and thus disclosed the specific architectural characteristics of immature compact bone. In young puppies, bone tissue of the corpus humeri forms a labyrinth of communicating osseous walls which are covered with a multitude of osteoblasts. These results are discussed in relation to findings in adult dogs.
