What is the canal that runs up and down the center of the osteon called?

• A. Haversian canal
• B. Volkmann's canal
• C. Central canal
• D. Lacunar canal

Answer: (A)

The central feature inside an osteon is a longitudinal canal that runs through its core, carrying blood vessels and nerves. This is the Haversian canal, also known as the central canal. It sits at the center of each osteon and is surrounded by concentric lamellae, forming the cylindrical unit of compact bone.

Volkmann's canals are different: they run perpendicular to the osteons and connect adjacent osteons and the periosteum, acting as communication routes between central canals rather than the main central channel itself. The term lacunar canal isn’t standard for describing this structure; lacunae are the small chambers housing osteocytes, connected by tiny canaliculi in the lacunar–canalicular network.

So, the canal that runs through the center of the osteon is the Haversian canal, also called the central canal.