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How do trabeculae make cancellous bone strong without making it heavy?
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bone
A long bone of the human body, showing a magnified cross section of the interior.
Cancellous bone achieves structural integrity without excessive weight through its unique internal architecture. The bone matrix is organized into a three-dimensional latticework of bony processes known as trabeculae.12
These trabeculae function as a complex series of cross-braced interior struts. By aligning themselves parallel to the lines of major compressive or tensile force, they provide maximal rigidity while utilizing a minimal amount of material. This honeycombed, porous structure allows the bone to remain light while still providing necessary structural support and the ability to dampen sudden stresses, such as those experienced during load transmission through joints.21