Trabekulært

Trabekulært is an adjective used in biology and medicine to describe tissues or structures that consist of a network of trabeculae—small, rod- or plate-shaped elements that form a lattice or mesh. The term stems from trabecula, the Latin for a little beam, and is commonly applied to anatomical tissues where such a porous, interconnected architecture is characteristic.

In bone biology, trabekulært bone, or trabecular (cancellous) bone, forms a porous, three-dimensional lattice found at the ends of long bones and inside the vertebrae. The trabeculae create spaces that house bone marrow and vascular tissue. This fabric provides a large surface area for metabolic activity, supports loads with light weight, and undergoes continuous remodeling by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Age-related changes or diseases such as osteoporosis can reduce trabecular thickness or connectivity, increasing fracture risk and altering bone strength. Imaging and histology often assess trabecular thickness, separation, and number to evaluate bone health.

In ophthalmology, the term describes the trabecular meshwork, a spongy network located in the anterior chamber angle of the eye. This structure forms part of the drainage pathway for aqueous humor into Schlemm’s canal. Impairment of this outflow can elevate intraocular pressure and contribute to glaucoma.

The concept also appears in other tissues with a similar lattice architecture, including certain lymphoid and connective tissues. In all uses, trabekulært refers to materials organized as a network of intersecting beams that create a supportive, porous framework.