ABSTRACT
The human bone and bone marrow constitute one of the body’s largest and most important organ systems. In long and flat bones, a complex plexus of vessels make up the endosteal network which supplies blood to bone and bone marrow. The main function of bone marrow is hematopoiesis, a compartmentalized process that allows for the generation of blood cells and platelets. Hematopoietic tissue is arranged in a highly specified pattern of organization, optimizing the bone marrow microenvironment for proliferation, differentiation, and maturation of stem cells along committed lineages. The competence of the bone marrow system is vital for the proper functioning of the body including the immune system and cardiac-respiratory system. Magnetic resonance imaging provides more specific and sensitive images that can be used to measure bone and bone marrow through the assessment of molecular composition, allowing for increased ability to distinguish between soft tissues.
