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Glite Dictionary
Haversian canal

Haversian canal

1 7.5
A small channel in bone that contains blood vessels and soft tissue
  • noun
  • /ˈhævərʒən ˈkænəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : canal de Havers
  • The Haversian canal runs longitudinally through the center of each osteon in compact bone.

Examples

  • The Haversian canal is essential for bone health.

  • Blood vessels travel through each Haversian canal to supply nutrients to bone cells.

  • Damage to a Haversian canal can interfere with bone health and repair.

  • Many Haversian canals are found in compact bone.

  • The Haversian canal contains blood vessels that nourish the bone.

  • Within each Haversian canal, small blood vessels travel to maintain healthy bone tissue.

  • The structure of the Haversian canal allows for efficient transport of nutrients in compact bone.

Synonyms

canaliculus
vsHaversian canal
  • Specialized
9.9

A very small channel in bone or plants that carries fluid

is specific to channels that house blood vessels and connective tissue in compact bone

Surface Forms

Haversian canal singular
Haversian canals plural

Morphology

Haversian + canal

The noun 'canal' clearly denotes a bodily passage and the adjective 'Haversian' specifies the particular canal system in bone; together they directly signal 'a small canal in bone associated with the Haversian system' so a learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning. Although this is specialist anatomical vocabulary that many B1 learners may not know, the adjective+noun composition is fully compositional and therefore transparent.

Etymology

Haversian canal is named after an English doctor and the word canal, which means 'small tube'. Imagine a tiny tube running down the center of each bone cylinder that carries blood and brings food and oxygen to bone cells. That's why Haversian canal means those small channels in bone.