What is a "Soft and Spongy" Bone? Posted: 03-24-06 10:23am
I underwent surgery checking for secondary
bone cancer. The surgeon described the
bone that was removed as being soft and
spongy. What does that mean?
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DoctorAnswer
Doctor Answer
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Bone Cancer Answer A697 Posted: 04-10-06 08:20am
A patho-hystologycal report indicates the
meaning of “soft and spongy”.
Generally, "spongy" is a misnomer; spongy
bone is actually hard and calcified; it is
named for its sponge-like appearance. It
is permeated by spaces filled with bone
marrow. Spongy bone is well designed to
give strength to a bone without burdening
it with weight. The loos organization of
spongy bone can be found at the ends of
long bones and in the middle of short,
flat, and irregular bones. It is always
enclosed by more durable, compact
bone...perhaps this is why your surgeon
described the bone as "soft".
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