What are the two main types of bone within the human skeletal system?

• A. Cortical and spongy
• B. Cortical and trabecular
• C. Compact and trabecular
• D. Long and short

Answer: (B)

The two main types of bone within the human skeletal system are indeed correctly identified as cortical and trabecular.

Cortical bone, also known as compact bone, forms the dense outer layer of the bone structure. It provides strength to the bone, supports weight, and is crucial for protecting the internal structures of the bone. This type of bone accounts for a significant portion of the total bone mass.

Trabecular bone, on the other hand, is found mainly at the ends of long bones and within the interior of others. It has a spongy structure that consists of a network of small, interconnected bony struts, which help to reduce the overall weight of the bone while maintaining strength and stability. Trabecular bone also plays an important role in the production of blood cells and the storage of minerals.

Understanding these two types of bone helps in various areas such as assessing bone density, understanding bone diseases, and evaluating the risk of fractures, particularly in conditions like osteoporosis where the balance between these bone types can be disrupted.