Histomorphometric normal values of the iliac crest cancellous bone in a Finnish autopsy series

A histomorphometric analysis of the iliac crest cancellous bone from 85 cadavers of different ages was performed to obtain normal values for the trabecular bone. The cadavers had not had any medication or disease that could disturb bone mineral metabolism. The bone specimens were embedded in methyl methacrylate and the histomorphometric values analysed from five micron thick bone sections. The density of trabecular bone diminished significantly with age in women and men. The density of the osteoid and the extent of the osteoid seams did not change with age, nor was there any change in the extent of trabecular resorption surfaces with age.