The hard dense outer layer of bone, also called compact bone, is?

The hard dense outer layer of bone, also called compact bone, is?

• A. Osteoid
• B. Periosteum
• C. Cortical Bone
• D. Cancellous Bone

Answer: (C)

The hard dense outer layer of bone is cortical bone, also called compact bone. This layer forms the dense, protective shell that gives bone its strength and rigidity, arranged in tightly packed lamellae around central canals in osteons. In contrast, cancellous bone is the lighter, spongy interior with trabeculae; osteoid is the unmineralized organic matrix produced by osteoblasts before mineralization; and the periosteum is the outer membrane that covers bone. So the outer dense shell you feel as the solid part of the bone is cortical (compact) bone.

The hard dense outer layer of bone is cortical bone, also called compact bone. This layer forms the dense, protective shell that gives bone its strength and rigidity, arranged in tightly packed lamellae around central canals in osteons. In contrast, cancellous bone is the lighter, spongy interior with trabeculae; osteoid is the unmineralized organic matrix produced by osteoblasts before mineralization; and the periosteum is the outer membrane that covers bone. So the outer dense shell you feel as the solid part of the bone is cortical (compact) bone.