General anatomy and histology: compact bone: practice question

A Anatomy question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anatomy · General anatomy and histology: compact bone

Sample item

A ground transverse section of a cortical bone shows several complete osteons. Between them lie angular fragments of lamellae that do not surround any central canal. What are these fragments?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Remnants of older osteons left after bone remodelling

Compact bone is organised into osteons, each with concentric lamellae around a Haversian canal. During remodelling, osteoclasts partially resorb old osteons and osteoblasts lay new ones, leaving angular interstitial lamellae between intact osteons. They are therefore remnants and not a separate structural system.

Option by option

  • A. Remnants of older osteons left after bone remodelling (correct)

    Correct. Interstitial lamellae are the leftover parts of osteons partly resorbed during remodelling.

  • B. Sharpey fibres anchoring periosteum to bone

    Sharpey fibres are collagen bundles of the periosteum that pass into bone and are not lamellae.

  • C. Volkmann canals joining adjacent Haversian canals

    Volkmann canals are channels running obliquely to connect Haversian canals, not lamellar fragments.

  • D. Circumferential lamellae beneath the periosteum

    Circumferential lamellae run around the whole shaft at the outer and inner surfaces, not between osteons.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is A, Remnants of older osteons left after bone remodelling. Compact bone is organised into osteons, each with concentric lamellae around a Haversian canal.

Why is "Sharpey fibres anchoring periosteum to bone" not the answer?

Sharpey fibres are collagen bundles of the periosteum that pass into bone and are not lamellae.

Why is "Volkmann canals joining adjacent Haversian canals" not the answer?

Volkmann canals are channels running obliquely to connect Haversian canals, not lamellar fragments.

Why is "Circumferential lamellae beneath the periosteum" not the answer?

Circumferential lamellae run around the whole shaft at the outer and inner surfaces, not between osteons.

What concept does this question test?

It tests General anatomy and histology: compact bone in Anatomy. During remodelling, osteoclasts partially resorb old osteons and osteoblasts lay new ones, leaving angular interstitial lamellae between intact osteons. They are therefore remnants and not a separate structural system.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study General anatomy and histology: compact bone?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.