Cancellous bone constitutes roughly what percent of vertebral bone?

Cancellous bone constitutes roughly what percent of vertebral bone?

• A. 40%
• B. 60%
• C. 70%
• D. 50%

Answer: (B)

Vertebral bone is built with a thin outer cortical shell and a large interior trabecular (cancellous) network. That cancellous component is highly porous and metabolically active, giving vertebrae the ability to absorb loads while keeping weight down. The volume of cancellous bone in a vertebral body is about 60%, with cortical bone making up the remaining roughly 40%. This is why the correct choice is the value around 60%—it reflects the vertebral interior being primarily cancellous, unlike many other bones that have a larger cortical portion.

Vertebral bone is built with a thin outer cortical shell and a large interior trabecular (cancellous) network. That cancellous component is highly porous and metabolically active, giving vertebrae the ability to absorb loads while keeping weight down. The volume of cancellous bone in a vertebral body is about 60%, with cortical bone making up the remaining roughly 40%. This is why the correct choice is the value around 60%—it reflects the vertebral interior being primarily cancellous, unlike many other bones that have a larger cortical portion.