Question

what characterizes osteoporsis at the histological level?
a.) increase in the number and size of trabeculae in spongy bone
b.) reduction in the thickness of compact bone and the number and size of trabeculae in spongy bone
c.) formation of haphazard new bone
d.) increase in osteoblastic activity

Explanation:

Osteoporosis is a bone - related disorder. At the histological level, in osteoporosis, there is a reduction in the thickness of compact bone and a decrease in the number and size of trabeculae in spongy bone. Option a is incorrect as it is the opposite of what occurs in osteoporosis. Option c, formation of haphazard new bone, is more characteristic of certain bone repair or abnormal bone - forming conditions like Paget's disease rather than osteoporosis. Option d, increase in osteoblastic activity, is not typical for osteoporosis; osteoporosis is more related to an imbalance where osteoclastic activity (bone resorption) is relatively higher than osteoblastic activity (bone formation).

Answer:

B. Reduction in the thickness of compact bone and the number and size of trabeculae in spongy bone