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Cortical Bone

Meaning

Cortical bone, also known as compact bone, is the dense, outer layer that forms the shaft of long bones and covers the trabecular bone in all skeletal structures. Providing mechanical strength and rigidity, it accounts for approximately 80% of the body’s skeletal mass. Its integrity is critically dependent on hormonal balance, with estrogen and testosterone playing essential roles in maintaining its structural density and preventing fracture risk.