What is cancellous bone made up of?
1 Answer
May 19, 2015
Cancellous bone, or spongy bone, is one of two types of bones in the body. The other type is called compact bone.
Bone Composition
Bone consists mainly of collagen fibres, water, and bone mineral, plus small amounts of other substances such as proteins and inorganic salts.
Collagen is a protein with a triple-helix structure.
The bone mineral has the approximate composition of hydroxyapatite,
Cancellous Bone
Cancellous bone makes up about 20 % of the human skeleton.
It makes up much of the enlarged ends of the long bones next to the joints.
It has an open cell porous network that gives it a honeycombed or spongy appearance.
The pores are often filled with bone marrow and blood vessels.
