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Related Concept Videos

Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification01:24

Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification

Bone formation, or ossification, begins around the sixth to seventh week of embryonic development. Most bones develop from a cartilaginous template through the process of endochondral ossification. Cartilage formation begins when clusters of mesenchymal cells differentiate into chondrocytes. These chondrocytes proliferate rapidly and secrete an extracellular matrix that becomes encased in a membrane called the perichondrium. The resulting cartilage model provides a template that resembles the...
The Bone Matrix01:18

The Bone Matrix

Bone contains a relatively small number of cells entrenched in a matrix of collagen fibers that provide an adherent surface for inorganic salt crystals. Both components of the matrix, organic and inorganic, contribute to the unusual properties of bone. Without collagen, bones would be brittle and shatter easily. Without mineral crystals, bones would flex and provide little support. This can be observed by an experiment: when the minerals of a bone are dissolved by soaking the bone in acid or...
Spongy Bone01:09

Spongy Bone

All bones comprise an outer layer of compact bone, and an interior made up of spongy bone tissue, also called cancellous or trabecular bone. In long bones, spongy bone tissue is mainly found in the interior of the epiphyses (broad ends of the bone).
Spongy bone is more porous, and less dense compared to compact bone. It is composed of concentric lamellae that are arranged irregularly to form the trabecular network. In some bones, the spaces between trabeculae contain red marrow, where...
Gross Anatomy of Bone01:17

Gross Anatomy of Bone

The two main features of a long bone are the diaphysis and the epiphysis.
The diaphysis is the tubular shaft that runs between the proximal and distal ends of the bone. The walls of the diaphysis are composed of dense and hard compact bone made of numerous osteons — the functional unit of the compact bone. The hollow region in the diaphysis is called the medullary cavity, which harbors the bone marrow. In infants and children, this marrow cavity is filled with red marrow, whereas in adults, it...
Compact Bone01:27

Compact Bone

Most bones contain compact and spongy osseous tissue, but their distribution and concentration vary based on the bone's overall function.
Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is the denser, stronger of the two types of bone tissue. It is found under the periosteum and in the diaphyses of long bones, where it provides support and protection. The microscopic structural unit of compact bone is called an osteon, or haversian system. Each osteon is composed of concentric rings of calcified...
Bone Remodeling01:40

Bone Remodeling

Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Software-Assisted Quantitative Measurement of Osteoarthritic Subchondral Bone Thickness
08:52

Software-Assisted Quantitative Measurement of Osteoarthritic Subchondral Bone Thickness

Published on: March 18, 2022

The basic science of the subchondral bone.

Henning Madry1, C Niek van Dijk, Magdalena Mueller-Gerbl

  • 1Institute for Experimental Orthopaedics, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany. hmad@hotmail.com

Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy : Official Journal of the ESSKA
|February 2, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Understanding the anatomy and pathology of subchondral bone is crucial for treating deep articular cartilage defects. This review details subchondral bone structure and diseases to improve therapeutic strategies for osteochondral defects.

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Area of Science:

  • Orthopedics
  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Anatomy

Background:

  • Articular cartilage defects are common, but those extending into subchondral bone are under-addressed.
  • Subchondral bone, comprising the plate and spongiosa, is key to cartilage health.
  • Variations in subchondral bone anatomy complicate treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the anatomy, morphology, and pathology of subchondral bone.
  • To discuss diseases affecting the subchondral bone and their impact on osteochondral defects.
  • To highlight the importance of subchondral bone knowledge for developing effective therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of anatomical and pathological studies.
  • Analysis of diseases affecting the subchondral bone.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on subchondral bone structure and function.

Main Results:

  • Detailed description of subchondral bone anatomy, including the bone plate, spongiosa, cement line, and tidemark.
  • Discussion of anatomical variability in the subchondral region.
  • Overview of pathologies such as traumatic defects, osteochondritis dissecans, osteonecrosis, and osteoarthritis.

Conclusions:

  • A thorough understanding of subchondral bone is essential for treating complex osteochondral defects.
  • Further research in basic science, animal models, and clinical studies is needed.
  • Improved knowledge can lead to better therapeutic strategies for cartilage defects involving subchondral bone.