Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Is trabecular bone score associated with appendicular lean mass?
Lora M Giangregorio1, Mackenzie Ryann Alexiuk2,3, Navdeep Tangri2,3
1University of Waterloo and Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, Waterloo, Canada. lora.giangregorio@uwaterloo.ca.
Appendicular lean mass index (ALMI) is linked to trabecular bone score (TBS) in adults over 40. Higher ALMI is associated with better TBS, suggesting a connection between muscle mass and bone health.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Bone Health
- Musculoskeletal Physiology
- Medical Imaging and Diagnostics
Background:
- Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) is a recognized independent risk factor for fractures.
- Mechanical loading from muscle on bone is a proposed stimulus for bone formation (osteogenesis).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between appendicular lean mass index (ALMI) and Trabecular Bone Score (TBS).
- To determine if muscle mass, assessed by ALMI, correlates with bone microarchitecture, as measured by TBS.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the Manitoba DXA Registry (n=60,196) including individuals aged 40 and older.
- Estimation of ALMI, lean mass index (LMI), and fat mass index (FMI) using DXA data.
- Linear and logistic regression models were used, adjusting for age, sex, FMI, and tissue thickness.
Main Results:
- A significant positive association was found between ALMI and TBS after adjusting for age and sex.
- This association strengthened when further adjusted for FMI and abdominal tissue thickness (β=0.058, p<0.001).
- An increase of 1 kg/m² in ALMI corresponded to a 0.058 increase in TBS, representing approximately 4.7% of the average TBS value.
Conclusions:
- Appendicular lean mass index (ALMI) is independently associated with Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) in adults aged 40 and over.
- Findings suggest a link between muscle mass and bone structural integrity, independent of fat mass and age.
More Related Videos
07:33Non-invasive Skeletal Muscle Quantification in Small Animals Using Micro-computed Tomography
Published on: November 8, 2024
06:59Author Spotlight: An Economic and Efficient Method for Quantitative Evaluation of Bone Microarchitecture in a Murine Osteoporosis Model
Published on: September 8, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Axial and Appendicular Muscles
Axial Muscles
Axial muscles, situated along the body's midline, are intricately connected to the axial skeleton, which includes the skull, spine, ribs, and sternum. These muscles facilitate facial expressions and...
Overview of the Axial Skeleton
The axial skeleton of the...
Spongy 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...
Classification of Bones
Long and Short Bones
The appendicular skeleton, particularly the upper and lower limbs, is primarily made of long and short bones. The...
Bones of the Lower Limb: Tibia and Fibula