Which bone tissue is cancellous?

• A. Compact bone
• B. Periosteum
• C. Cancellous bone
• D. Medullary cavity

Answer: (C)

Cancellous bone, also called trabecular bone, is the porous, lattice-like tissue found inside bones. Its trabeculae form a lightweight, spongey network with spaces that reduce weight while maintaining strength, and it often contains red bone marrow. This porous structure is what makes it cancellous. In contrast, compact bone is the dense outer layer that provides most of the bone’s strength; periosteum is a fibrous membrane that covers the bone’s exterior; and the medullary cavity is the hollow interior space that houses bone marrow, not a tissue type itself. So the tissue that is cancellous is the spongy, lattice-like bone tissue.