What percentage of the human body is occupied by trabecular bone?

• A. 10%
• B. 20%
• C. 30%
• D. 50%

Answer: (B)

Trabecular bone, also known as cancellous bone, constitutes about 20% of the total skeletal mass in the human body. This type of bone is found primarily in the interior of long bones, the pelvis, ribs, skull, and the vertebrae. One of its main functions is to support the outer cortical bone structure, absorb shock, and provide structural stability while maintaining lighter weight compared to cortical bone.

Understanding the distribution of bone types helps in various applications including clinical assessments and research related to bone health, such as osteoporosis. Trabecular bone has a higher turnover rate than cortical bone, which means it is more sensitive to changes in metabolic processes and loading, making this knowledge crucial for assessing risk factors and treatment options related to bone density.