Ultrasonic techniques have been used to measure the elastic properties
of bone. Eight human tibiae were used to determine and map the elasti
c properties of cortical and cancellous bone. The present study shows
cortical bone to be at least orthotropic in its material symmetry. The
mechanical properties of cortical bone are more homogeneous along the
length than around the circumference. The variations in the propertie
s around the quadrant of cortical bone are small, less than 10%, while
differences in the properties around the circumference of cancellous
bone are more apparent, approximately 5 times those of cortical bone.
The elastic properties of cancellous bone exhibited inhomogeneity and
some consistency pattern along both the length and the circumference.