Final answer:
Volkmann's canals, also known as perforating canals, are crucial structures in bone that provide arteries and nerves access to the diaphysis, supplying the periosteum and compact bone with necessary nourishment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Volkmann's canals, also known as perforating canals, are small arteries accompanied by nerves that enter the diaphysis through numerous perforating canals and supply the periosteum and other parts of the compact bone.
The structure of compact bone is organized into units called osteons, or Haversian systems. At the center of each osteon is the central canal, or Haversian canal, which contains the blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels. Volkmann's canals are channels that branch off from the central canal and extend to the periosteum and endosteum, carrying vessels and nerves that feed the bone.
These canals are crucial for the nourishment and functioning of bones, allowing blood flow that provides oxygen and nutrients while also removing waste products. The presence of nerves in these canals ties the skeletal system to the nervous system, allowing for the sensation of pain and the management of blood flow in the bone.