Which bone is lightweight and porous with an intricate network of tiny struts and girders?

Which bone is lightweight and porous with an intricate network of tiny struts and girders?

• A. Compact bone
• B. Spongy bone
• C. Cortical bone
• D. Dense bone

Answer: (B)

Lightweight and porous structure with a lattice of tiny struts and girders describes spongy bone. This bone is organized into a network of trabeculae that create many small spaces, so the overall bone is lighter yet strong enough to handle stress from different directions. You’ll find spongy bone at the ends of long bones and inside vertebrae, where it also houses marrow. In contrast, compact bone forms the dense outer shell of most bones, providing rigidity with far less porosity. Cortical bone is another term used for this dense form, and “dense bone” is a general descriptor that doesn’t capture the characteristic porous lattice. So the best description for the light, airy structure is spongy bone.

Lightweight and porous structure with a lattice of tiny struts and girders describes spongy bone. This bone is organized into a network of trabeculae that create many small spaces, so the overall bone is lighter yet strong enough to handle stress from different directions. You’ll find spongy bone at the ends of long bones and inside vertebrae, where it also houses marrow. In contrast, compact bone forms the dense outer shell of most bones, providing rigidity with far less porosity. Cortical bone is another term used for this dense form, and “dense bone” is a general descriptor that doesn’t capture the characteristic porous lattice. So the best description for the light, airy structure is spongy bone.