cancellous

adjective

can·​cel·​lous kan-ˈse-ləs  ˈkan(t)-sə-ləs 

of bone

: having a porous structure

Word History

Etymology

New Latin cancelli intersecting osseous plates and bars in cancellous bone, from Latin, lattice

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

cancellous

adjective

can·​cel·​lous kan-ˈsel-əs  ˈkan(t)-sə-ləs 

: having a porous structure made up of intersecting plates and bars that form small cavities or cells

cancellous bone

compare compact