Abstract
The direction in which the superficial connective-tissue fibers of an organ run is now traced by drawing the socalled “spaltlines” on the surface of the organ. The method is applicable for the purpose almost irrespective of the kind of organ under examination. Daputren (1836) examined the fact he had found that a prick made in any tissue spread into a sort of line and investigated the craeking nature of the skin. This investigation of Daputren' s was later re-examine by Malgaine (1859) and Hanger (1861). Benninghoff (1925) examined the “Spaltlinie” drawn by the “spalt” method on the compact substance of human bone, and publishing the interesting results he had obtained on the subject in rapid succession, accomplished a splendid work on the study of the compact substance of bone. Brubnke (1929) disclosed the structure of the compact substance of long bones in horses and dogs, while Henkel (1931) and Sakaguchi (1935) described the compact substance of the femur in humans, monkeys, dogs and goats. The “spalt” line on the surface of joints was studied and described by Hultkranz, Oi and Miya ji. These researchers, however, explored the subject only in part and neither the materials they used were sufficiently numerous nor the method of observation they followed satisfactorily adequate. Besides, the functional phase of the problem has so far been observed and reported only by Ishibashi (1950) and Hirao (1950). The author has studied the structure and function of the compact substance of the human carpal bones and here reports some new information obtained on the subject.
