[Microscopic study of the arch structure of trabeculae in normal and necrotic femoral heads].

The trabeculae structure in normal and necrotic femoral heads was studied by means of scanning electron microscope. In normal femoral heads, most of the trabeculae were seen in the form of arch structure, and in which the mineral columns were arranged in different directions on different layers. In necrotic femoral heads, the arch structure of trabeculae and the arrangement of the mineral columns over unresorbed area were practically normal, but over the resorbed area, the arch structure of trabeculae was broken and collapsed, and the mineral columns were sparse and disorganized. These findings provide a new explanation of the capability of the femoral head to bear high stress and also of the mechanism of its collapse after necrosis.