Quantitative Analysis of the Orientation of Mineral in Bone from Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering Patterns

Abstract
The small-angle X-ray scattering data from a rabbit femur is quantitatively evaluated with respect to the mineral distribution in bone. The results show the existence of a needle-like mineral with a length of at least 300 A and a preferred orientation of the needle axes parallel to the long axis of the bone. The angular distribution of the needle axes gives a value of 30° for the mean inclination.