ABSTRACT
The objective of this review is to discuss the interrelationship between hierarchy of spiral organization of the structural elements of the skeleton and its mechanical characteristics with regard to functional-biological expediency. The following hierarchic levels of spiral organization of skeletal structures are defined: collagen chains, collagen molecules, microfibrils, fibrils, collagen fibers, osteon network and organization of osseous macrostructure responsible for torsion effect in weight bearing. This spiral organization creates the conditions, under which the directions of domineering forces in the bone usually do not coincide with the direction of the longitudinal crystallite axes. It causes shifting deformity between the adjacent crystallites. which should be taken into account alongside with distraction-compression deformity. These features form the basis of nano-level mechanism responsible for mechanical characteristics of bone tissue.
