cancellous bone

cancellous bone

also called  trabecular bone  or  spongy bone 
 light, porous bone enclosing numerous large spaces that give a honeycombed or spongy appearance. The bone matrix, or framework, is organized into a three-dimensional latticework of bony processes, called trabeculae, arranged along lines of stress. The spaces between are often filled with marrow (bone marrow).

      Cancellous bone makes up about 20 percent of the human skeleton, providing structural support and flexibility without the weight of compact bone. It is found in most areas of bone that are not subject to great mechanical stress. It makes up much of the enlarged ends (epiphyses) of the long bones and is the major component of the ribs, the shoulder blades, the flat bones of the skull, and a variety of short, flat bones elsewhere in the skeleton. Cancellous bone is usually surrounded by a shell of compact bone, which provides greater strength and rigidity. The open structure of cancellous bone enables it to dampen sudden stresses, as in load transmission through the joints. Varying proportions of space to bone are found in different bones according to the need for strength or flexibility.

      Cancellous bone can develop into compact bone through the action of bone-forming cells called osteoblasts (osteoblast). It is in this manner that all long bones develop in the embryo. The osteoblasts deposit new bone matrix in layers around the trabeculae, which thus enlarge at the expense of the spaces between them. Eventually the spaces are eliminated, and immature compact bone is produced. See also bone formation.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • bone disease — Introduction  any of the diseases or injuries that affect human bones (bone). Diseases and injuries of bones are major causes of abnormalities of the human skeletal system (skeletal system, human). Although physical injury, causing fracture,… …   Universalium

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  • Bône — /bohn/, n. former name of Annaba. * * * I Rigid connective tissue of vertebrates, consisting of cells embedded in a hard matrix. Bones serve as the body s supporting framework, provide muscle attachment points for movement, protect the internal… …   Universalium

  • cancellous — Denoting bone that has a latticelike or spongy structure. SYN: cancellated. * * * can·cel·lous kan sel əs, kan(t) sə ləs adj having a porous structure made up of intersecting plates and bars that form small cavities or cells <cancellous… …   Medical dictionary

  • bone formation — ▪ physiology also called  ossification        process by which new bone is produced. Ossification begins about the third month of fetal life in humans and is completed by late adolescence. The process takes two general forms, one for compact bone …   Universalium

  • cancellous — adjective Etymology: New Latin cancelli intersecting osseous plates and bars in cancellous bone, from Latin, lattice Date: circa 1839 of bone having a porous structure …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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