The modified Bodian method with protargol (silver protein) is ordinari
ly used to detect nerve fibers. With this technique, applied to decalc
ified rat bone sections, the bone canaliculi were clearly stained blac
k with good contrast to the bone matrix in both lamellar and woven bon
e. In addition, the connections between the bone canaliculi and other
canaliculi, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and chondrocytes were easily det
ectable. We found that the bone canaliculi of woven bone were fewer in
number and ran more irregularly than those of lamellar bone. We belie
ve that this staining method for bone canaliculi in decalcified bone i
s superior to previously reported methods and may be useful in studies
on bone pathology.