Authors: H S Gupta P Roschger I Zizak N FratzlZelman A Nader K Klaushofer P Fratzl
Publish Date: 2003/04/28
Volume: 72, Issue: 5, Pages: 567-576
Abstract
The micrometer level spatial distribution of the size shape and orientation of mineral crystallites in the calcifying matrix of tendons near the edge of the mineralizing front was investigated by scanning small angle Xray scattering using synchrotron Xray radiation Using a special microbeam arrangement enabling 20 µm beam resolution and short measurement times linear diffraction scans were made on sections from the normally calcifying tendons tibialis cranialis from the domestic turkey which calcify in the distal to proximal direction A change in shape and arrangement of mineral crystals was observed within the first 200 µm of the mineralization front and the mineral crystal distribution was highly anisotropic with crystals aligned parallel to the fiber axis In a crosssection of the tendon cut at right angles to the fiber axis the orientation distribution of crystals was not azimuthally symmetric and showed a small but nonzero anisotropy and a continuous change in mean orientation angle across the width of the tendon crosssection
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