Anatomy students learn about the skeletal system, where they examine bones and how the bones fit together to make up an entire skeleton.   In addition, some course also explore bone tissue and how bone is formed, repaired, and even broken down to release minerals.  

The bone matrix is composed of cells called osteocytes that form rings.  The cells are connected by tiny canals called canaliculi.   This worksheet shows these cells and then how the rings are stacked in compact bone.   This worksheet was made for a senior level anatomy class.

I often pair this worksheet with a short visit to the lab. Students can easily view osteocytes with a compound light microscope. You can easily see the rings (lamella) and other features of bone tissue. Bone tissue slides is fairly inexpensive, and I have tons of old slides from a previous teacher.

You can find all the materials for my anatomy curriculum at the Anatomy and Physiology class site

Grade Level:  11-12
Time Required: 15 minutes

HS-LS1-2 Develop and use a model to illustrate the hierarchical organization of interacting systems that provide specific functions within multicellular organisms