Variation in trabecular structure of vertebrae with age

Abstract

Radiographs of vertical sections cut through the centre of vertebral bodies and the middle of the remaining left half vertebra were used in a study of the structural changes of cancellous bone with age. The trabeculae were counted in two ways: (a) the number of transverse trabeculae which crossed the mid-line of the vertebra, and (b) all bone spicules in the central area of a specimen. Transverse trabeculae diminished steadily throughout life in the mid-section, but were not affected in the lateral section. The area count in the mid-section showed no change in the trabeculae until 50 years, after which a progressive loss occurred. In the lateral section no change was observed in the area count. © 1967 Springer-Verlag.