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Why does the femur have a thick outer layer of compact bone?
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bone
A long bone of the human body, showing a magnified cross section of the interior.
The femur, like other long bones in the legs, features a thick outer layer of compact bone because it requires greater strength and rigidity to function effectively.1
As the primary component of the leg's long bones, this dense, lamellar tissue forms a protective shell around the inner cancellous bone. This structural arrangement is essential for the femur to withstand significant mechanical demands, such as the compression forces of 800β1,100 kg (1,800β2,500 pounds) that human femurs are capable of resisting. By providing this structural integrity, the compact bone ensures the skeleton can support the body's weight and facilitate movement.123