Three-dimensional analysis of the spatial distribution of particles using the tandem-scanning reflected light microscope

Osteocyte lacunae in whole mineralised bone were observed directly without sectioning, using the TSRLM. Inside a sampling region the three-dimensional coordinates of the centre points of the lacunae were recorded. Preliminary statistical analysis is reported here. Evidence of systematic packing of lacunae was found. Biological variability was considerable for Nv but negligible for the spatial interaction function K.