Bones are the primary skeletal structure that supports muscles and gives shape to the body. Spongy and compact bones are two basic structural bone types. They make up the long bones in the body. Long bones are dense hard bones that provide strength, structure and mobility. The difference between spongy and compact bones is given below in a tabular column.
Spongy vs Compact Bones
| Spongy Bones | Compact Bones |
| Spongy Bones are also called cancellous bones | Compact bones are also called cortical bones |
| They light, spongy and soft in nature | They are heavy, tough and compact in nature |
| They are made up of trabeculae | They are made up of osteons |
| They fill the inner layer of most bones | They fill the outer layer of most bones |
| Bone-marrow cavity absent | Bone-marrow cavity present in the centre |
| Bone marrow produces red corpuscles and white granular corpuscles | Bone marrow stores fat |
| It forms the ends or epiphyses of long bones | It forms the shaft or diaphysis of long bones |
Compact bones are the present in the outer layer of long bones, while spongy bones are present in the middle of the long bones. The main difference between spongy and compact bones is their structure and function. Visit BYJU’S to learn more differences.
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