Cancellous bone in the anterior part of the iliac crest

Summary Calcified tissue in the iliac crest and the adjoining ala of the ilium was investigated by scanning electron micrographs of thick, polished sections from which the marrow had been removed. Some quantitative properties of the trabeculae and of the marrow spaces were obtained from measurements on the images of the polished surfaces. Most of the cortex of the crest was porous, about 25% void, of varying thickness, intruding into the cancellous space in some regions. A structure containing about 35% by volume of bone was found at and near the anterior superior spine. Compact bone of normal appearance began as thin medial and proximal sheets below the crest, and thickened until at 20–30 mm it was substantial. The cancellous bone contained by these structures was varied. Two main zones were distinguished, whose junction ran from just below the anterior superior spine to the lower portion of the iliac fossa. In the lateral zone, adjacent to the crest, there were arch-like structures, commencing from the medial and proximal walls, and meeting, or even crossing, near the centre. The medial zone was distinguished by large marrow cavities and strongly orientated trabeculae. The relative volume of bone was similar in the two zones, falling from a maximum of 15–20% to about 5% in the regions of the anterior inferior spine and the iliac fossa. The average width of the trabeculae was significantly greater in the medial than in the lateral zone (W_b(m)0.16 mm, W_b(l)0.12 mm). Inclusions of very heavily constructed trabeculae, having average widths of about 0.35 mm, were found in both zones.