Figure 1. Image and graphs. (a) Backscattered electron (BSE) image of cortical bone taken from the lingual aspect of a bone slice from the mental foramen region of a 67-year-old male. The black circular features are vascular canals. Whiter areas of bone are more highly mineralized. Field width, 2.7 mm; scale marker, 1 mm. Graphs showing (b) the number of canals per mm², (c) the cross-sectional area of canals, (d) the canal density, and (e) quantitative BSE signal indicating the mean mineralization density of cortical bone taken from different regions of the mandible and other skeletal sites. Mean and 95% confidence interval. Site (n =) cranial (33); (posterior mandible) lingual (32), inferior (32), buccal (32), alveolar (29), mylohyoid (66); (mental foramen region) lingual (40), inferior (39), buccal (40), alveolar (42); (midline mandible) lingual (28), inferior (27), buccal (28), alveolar (28); and fourth lumbar vertebra (14), iliac crest (13), femoral neck (13).