Yes, bones do have nerves. Although you may not think of your bones as being sensitive, they are actually innervated by a network of nerves that allow you to feel pain, pressure, and other sensations.
- Nerves in bone are found along blood vessels. These nerves, both sensory and autonomic, are found in various parts of the bone, including the periosteum (the outer layer of bone), Volkmann's canals (channels that run through bone), bone marrow, the growth plate, and the attachment of the synovial membrane.
- The periosteum is particularly rich in nerve fibers. The periosteum is a tough, fibrous membrane that covers the surface of bones. It is responsible for anchoring tendons and ligaments, as well as for supplying bone with nutrients and blood.
- Nerves in bone serve several important functions. They allow you to feel pain when you injure your bone, they help regulate blood flow to the bone, and they play a role in bone growth and repair.
While bones themselves don't have nerves inside, the periosteum and surrounding structures do, leading to the sensation of pain when these areas are affected. This explains why broken bones are so painful, even though the bone itself is not directly innervated.
