Spongy bone

Spongy bone, also known as cancellous bone or trabecular bone, is a type of bone found in the human body. It is one of the two types of bone tissue, the other being compact bone. Spongy bone is found at the ends of long bones, in the inner layer of flat bones, and in the center of other bones.

Structure

Spongy bone is characterized by its spongy, porous, honeycomb-like structure. It is composed of trabeculae, which are thin, branching structures that form a meshwork. The spaces within this meshwork are filled with red bone marrow, which produces blood cells.

Function

The primary function of spongy bone is to support and protect the red bone marrow. However, it also plays a crucial role in facilitating movement by making bones lighter and allowing muscles to attach. It also acts as a shock absorber, absorbing the stress placed on bones during movement.

Clinical significance

Diseases such as osteoporosis can affect the density and quality of spongy bone, leading to increased risk of fractures. In addition, certain cancers, such as multiple myeloma, can cause damage to the spongy bone and bone marrow.

See also

• Bone tissue
• Compact bone
• Osteoporosis
• Multiple myeloma

Spongy bone Resources
Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials	Wikipedia