Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 6, 2025
06:59
Author Spotlight: An Economic and Efficient Method for Quantitative Evaluation of Bone Microarchitecture in a Murine Osteoporosis Model
Published on: September 8, 2023
2.9K
Cancellous Bone May Have a Greater Adaptive Strain Threshold Than Cortical Bone
Haisheng Yang1, Whitney A Bullock2, Alexandra Myhal3
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Environment and Life Beijing University of Technology Beijing China.
JBMR Plus
|May 12, 2021
Summary
Bone tissue responds differently to mechanical strain. Cancellous bone requires higher strain magnitudes than cortical bone to stimulate bone formation and gene expression changes.
Area of Science:
- Bone biology
- Skeletal biomechanics
- Mechanobiology
Background:
- Mechanical strain is a key regulator of bone adaptation.
- Differential responses of cortical and cancellous bone to mechanical stimuli are not fully understood at the molecular level.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the time-dependent gene expression, bone formation, and structural responses of cancellous and cortical bone to varying mechanical loads.
- To compare the strain thresholds for osteogenesis in different bone tissue types.
Main Methods:
- Mechanical loading of mouse tibiae with varying load levels (low, medium, high).
- Analysis of bone mass, bone formation indices, and gene expression.
- Finite element analysis to determine peak strains.
Main Results:
- Cortical bone mass increased at all load levels, with enhanced formation at medium and high loads.
- Cancellous bone mass and formation increased significantly only at the high load.
- Gene expression changes related to bone formation inhibition occurred at lower loads in cortical bone than in cancellous bone.
Conclusions:
- Cancellous bone requires higher strain magnitudes than cortical bone for adaptive responses.
- Strain magnitude is a critical factor influencing the differential response of bone tissues to mechanical loading.
Related Concept Videos
01:09Spongy Bone
6.6K
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...
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...
6.6K
01:27Compact Bone
14.8K
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...
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...
14.8K
01:55Bone Structure
50.3K
Within the skeletal system, the structure of a bone, or osseous tissue, can be exemplified in a long bone, like the femur, where there are two types of osseous tissue: cortical and cancellous.
50.3K
01:23Bone as Supporting Connective Tissue
5.4K
Bone tissue forms the internal skeleton of vertebrate animals, providing structure to the body.
Bone Matrix
Bone, or osseous tissue, is a connective tissue that has a large amount of two different types of matrix material. The organic matrix is similar to the matrix material found in other connective tissues, including some amount of collagen and elastic fibers. This gives strength and flexibility to the tissue. The inorganic matrix consists of mineral salts— mostly calcium salts—...
Bone Matrix
Bone, or osseous tissue, is a connective tissue that has a large amount of two different types of matrix material. The organic matrix is similar to the matrix material found in other connective tissues, including some amount of collagen and elastic fibers. This gives strength and flexibility to the tissue. The inorganic matrix consists of mineral salts— mostly calcium salts—...
5.4K
01:40Bone Remodeling
39.1K
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.
39.1K
01:17Gross Anatomy of Bone
7.8K
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...
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...
7.8K