Final answer:
Cancellous bone, or spongy bone, is found inside the interior of bones and at the ends of long bones. It contains a network of trabeculae, housing osteocytes in lacunae, and spaces filled with red bone marrow for hematopoiesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cancellous Bone: Location and Contents
Cancellous bone, also known as spongy bone, is found primarily in the interior of bones, such as the ends of long bones like the femur, and within the inner layer of all bones. Unlike compact bone, it does not contain osteons, but rather consists of a lattice-like network of matrix spikes called trabeculae. These trabeculae are not arranged in concentric circles like in compact bone but instead form along lines of stress to provide strength to the bone structure.
The spaces within the trabeculated network are filled with red bone marrow, which is responsible for hematopoiesis—the production of blood cells. Blood vessels are present within this tissue, which transport nutrients to osteocytes (bone cells located within spaces called lacunae) and remove waste products. This arrangement of cancellous bone helps maintain balance by making bones lighter and easier to move, without compromising their structural integrity.