<P> The hard outer layer of bones is composed of cortical bone also called compact bone . Cortical referring to the outer ( cortex ) layer . The hard outer layer gives bone its smooth , white , and solid appearance , and accounts for 80 % of the total bone mass of an adult human skeleton . Cortical bone consists of multiple microscopic columns , each called an osteon . Each column is multiple layers of osteoblasts and osteocytes around a central canal called the haversian canal . Volkmann 's canals at right angles connect the osteons together . The columns are metabolically active , and as bone is reabsorbed and created the nature and location of the cells within the osteon will change . Cortical bone is covered by a periosteum on its outer surface , and an endosteum on its inner surface . The endosteum is the boundary between the cortical bone and the cancellous bone . </P>
<P> The hard outer layer of bones is composed of cortical bone also called compact bone . Cortical referring to the outer ( cortex ) layer . The hard outer layer gives bone its smooth , white , and solid appearance , and accounts for 80 % of the total bone mass of an adult human skeleton . Cortical bone consists of multiple microscopic columns , each called an osteon . Each column is multiple layers of osteoblasts and osteocytes around a central canal called the haversian canal . Volkmann 's canals at right angles connect the osteons together . The columns are metabolically active , and as bone is reabsorbed and created the nature and location of the cells within the osteon will change . Cortical bone is covered by a periosteum on its outer surface , and an endosteum on its inner surface . The endosteum is the boundary between the cortical bone and the cancellous bone . </P>
what is the dense bone on the outside surfaces of a skeletal element called
what is the dense bone on the outside surfaces of a skeletal element called
cortical bone
cortical bone