What is the Difference Between Compact Bone and Spongy Bone?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between compact bone and spongy bone lies in their structure and function. Here are the key differences:
- Structure: Compact bone is made up of osteons, which are cylindrical structures aligned in the same direction along lines of stress, making it dense and solid. Spongy bone, on the other hand, is composed of trabeculae, which are lamellae arranged as rods or plates, giving it a porous and spongy structure.
- Location: Compact bone forms the outer layer of long bones, providing strength, support, and protection. Spongy bone forms the inner layer of flat and irregular bones, as well as the ends or epiphyses of long bones.
- Function: Compact bone is designed to withstand stresses applied in only a few directions, making it prominent in areas where stresses are applied in a limited number of ways. Spongy bone is found in areas that are not heavily stressed or where stresses arrive from multiple directions, contributing to shock absorption, reducing weight, and facilitating metabolic exchange.
- Weight: Compact bone is heavier due to its denser structure, while spongy bone is lighter because of its porous structure.
In summary, compact bone is dense and solid, providing strength and support, while spongy bone is porous and lightweight, facilitating shock absorption and reducing the weight of bones.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Compact Bone and Spongy Bone? Comparative Table: Compact Bone vs Spongy Bone
Comparative Table: Compact Bone vs Spongy Bone
The main difference between compact and spongy bones lies in their structure and function. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two:
Feature | Compact Bone | Spongy Bone |
---|---|---|
Also known as | Cortical Bone | Cancellous Bone |
Nature | Compact, heavy, and tough | Spongy, light, and soft |
Location | Forms the diaphysis (shaft) of long bones | Forms the epiphyses (ends) of long bones |
Layer | Compact bones fill the outer layers of most bones | Spongy bones fill the inner layers of most bones |
Structure | Made up of osteons | Made up of trabeculae |
Bone lamellae arrangement | Arranged in regular Haversian system | Arranged in an irregular manner |
Compact bones provide strength, support, and protection, while spongy bones facilitate shock absorption, reduce weight, and contribute to the metabolic exchange between bone cells and surrounding tissue.
Read more:
- Compact vs Cancellous Bone
- Cancellous vs Cortical Bone
- Trabecular vs Cortical Bone
- Bone vs Cartilage
- Bone Mass vs Bone Density
- Palisade Parenchyma vs Spongy Parenchyma
- Male vs Female Bones
- Calcification vs Ossification
- Osteoblasts vs Osteoclasts
- Lamellae vs Lacunae
- Osteoblasts vs Osteocytes
- Epiphysis vs Diaphysis
- Osteon vs Osteocyte
- Periosteum vs Endosteum
- Smooth Muscle vs Skeletal Muscle
- Perichondrium vs Periosteum
- Endochondral Ossification vs Intramembranous Ossification
- Basal Bone vs Alveolar Bone
- Simple Squamous vs Simple Cuboidal