The spongy bone is called as?

Appeared in: HSSC Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

Spongy bone is also known by the medical term 'cancellous bone' or 'trabecular bone'.
This type of bone tissue is characterized by a porous, honeycomb-like internal structure made of struts called trabeculae.
It is found at the ends of long bones (epiphyses) and inside flat bones like the sternum and pelvis.
The primary functions of cancellous bone are to house red bone marrow for blood cell production (hematopoiesis) and to provide structural support while being lightweight and absorbing shock.

Option A: Endosteum is not a type of bone tissue. It is a thin membrane that lines the internal marrow cavity and the trabeculae of spongy bone.
Option B: Cortical bone is the synonym for compact bone, the dense outer layer of bone. It is the opposite of spongy bone.
Option D: Osteons (or Haversian systems) are the microscopic structural units of compact (cortical) bone, not spongy bone.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Anatomy and Terminology of Bone Tissue as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Cancellous bone has a higher metabolic rate and surface area than cortical bone, making it more susceptible to bone loss from conditions like osteoporosis.
Fractures related to osteoporosis commonly occur in areas with a high proportion of cancellous bone, such as the vertebrae, hip (femoral neck), and wrist.
What if? If a patient has advanced osteoporosis, even minor trauma can cause a compression fracture in the vertebrae, which are primarily composed of cancellous bone. Nursing care would focus on pain management, preventing further injury, and patient education on safety and fall prevention.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question, which is 'spongy bone'.
This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of anatomical terminology.
Recall the two main types of bone tissue: compact bone and spongy bone.
Access your memory for the synonyms of each type. Compact bone is also called cortical bone.
Spongy bone is also called cancellous or trabecular bone.
Scan the options to find the correct synonym. 'Cancellous' is listed as an option.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QYAeiIS3igJlrkNljmwoC0

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 4 p. 101-103

E6 Osteology InderbirSingh 5e p. 17-19

Practise the full HSSC Staff Nurse - 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.