Which structures most directly allow the provision of nutrients and removal of wastes from osteocytes in compact bone?

Choice A reason: Central lamellae is not a recognized anatomical term. The central canal, however, is part of an osteon and contains blood vessels and nerves. It does not refer to lamellae between osteons.

Choice B reason: Concentric lamellae are rings of bone matrix that surround the central canal within an osteon. They are integral to the osteon structure and not found between osteons.

Choice C reason: Circumferential lamellae are located around the outer and inner surfaces of compact bone, encircling the entire bone structure. They are not found between osteons.

Choice D reason: Perforating canals, or Volkmann’s canals, run perpendicular to the central canals and connect them to the periosteum and medullary cavity. They are not lamellae and do not lie between osteons.

Choice E reason: Interstitial lamellae are remnants of old osteons that have been partially resorbed during bone remodeling. They fill the spaces between current osteons and are not part of any single osteon, making them the correct answer.

Choice A reason: Epiphysis and diaphysis refer to regions of a long bone—the ends and shaft respectively—not to the coverings of bone surfaces.

Choice B reason: This reverses the anatomical regions but still does not address the coverings of bone surfaces.

Choice C reason: Compact bone and spongy bone are types of bone tissue, not the membranes that line or cover bone surfaces.

Choice D reason: The periosteum is a dense fibrous membrane that covers the external surface of bones, providing attachment points for tendons and ligaments and housing blood vessels and nerves. The endosteum lines the internal surfaces, including the medullary cavity, and plays a role in bone growth and remodeling.

Choice E reason: This reverses the correct anatomical relationship. The endosteum lines the internal surface, not the external.