What are the differences between compact bones and spongy bones?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Compact bone

Spongy bone

Definition

Is the hard, dense, rigid exterior of the bone

Is the soft tissue, which fills the interior cavity of bones

Also known as

Cortical bones

Cancellous or trabecular bones

Composition

Are made up of closely-packed osteons

Are made up of mineralized bars known as trabeculae

Structural characteristics

Heavy, dense, compact, and hard

Soft, light, porous and spongy in nature with a honeycomb-like structure

Long/short bones

Form major parts of the long bones such as arms and legs

Form major parts of the short bones such as wrists and ankles

Location on the bone

Form the outer layer of most bones

Fill the inner layer of most bones

Type of bone marrow

Houses yellow bone marrow, which contains adipose tissue

Houses red bone marrow, which contains stem cells for hemopoiesis

Weight

Heavier due to its denser, compact structure

Lighter due to its porous structure

Inter-lamellar spaces

No spaces between lamellae

There are spaces between lamellae

Canals

Contains Haversian and Volkmann canals

Does not contain Haversian or Volkmann canals

Vascularity

Highly vascularized

Limited blood supply compared to compact bone

Function

Provides strength, support, and protection to the body
Bears most of the body’s weight
Resists compression forces

Acts as a buffer for compact bones and 
Reduces weight of the bones
Facilitates metabolic exchange between bone cells and surrounding tissue

Basis of differentiation	Compact bone	Spongy bone
Definition	Is the hard, dense, rigid exterior of the bone	Is the soft tissue, which fills the interior cavity of bones
Also known as	Cortical bones	Cancellous or trabecular bones
Composition	Are made up of closely-packed osteons	Are made up of mineralized bars known as trabeculae
Structural characteristics	Heavy, dense, compact, and hard	Soft, light, porous and spongy in nature with a honeycomb-like structure
Long/short bones	Form major parts of the long bones such as arms and legs	Form major parts of the short bones such as wrists and ankles
Location on the bone	Form the outer layer of most bones	Fill the inner layer of most bones
Type of bone marrow	Houses yellow bone marrow, which contains adipose tissue	Houses red bone marrow, which contains stem cells for hemopoiesis
Weight	Heavier due to its denser, compact structure	Lighter due to its porous structure
Inter-lamellar spaces	No spaces between lamellae	There are spaces between lamellae
Canals	Contains Haversian and Volkmann canals	Does not contain Haversian or Volkmann canals
Vascularity	Highly vascularized	Limited blood supply compared to compact bone
Function	Provides strength, support, and protection to the body Bears most of the body’s weight Resists compression forces	Acts as a buffer for compact bones and Reduces weight of the bones Facilitates metabolic exchange between bone cells and surrounding tissue