Haversian canal

noun

Ha·​ver·​sian canal hə-ˈvər-zhən- 

variants or less commonly haversian canal

plural Haversian canals also haversian canals

: the central, tubular channel of an osteon of bone through which blood vessels and nerves pass

An early study of 55 adult femurs … noted larger osteons and smaller Haversian canals in females, and hypothesized that greater osteon size is associated with a more active lifestyle.

—Susan Pfeiffer et al.

Dinosaur bones will usually show a lined organic pattern, which are the fossilized Haversian canals from the original bone tissue.

—Andrew Evans

Word History

Etymology

Clopton Havers †1702 English physician & anatomist

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

Haversian canal

noun

Ha·​ver·​sian canal hə-ˌvər-zhən- 

variants also haversian canal

: the central, tubular channel of an osteon through which blood vessels and nerves travel

Haversian system diameter and Haversian canal diameter have been demonstrated as being markedly different between humans and certain nonhuman species and are both advocated as measurements to be used for differentiation.

—Maria L. Hillier et al., Journal of Forensic Science