Medullary Cavity: Also known as the Marrow Cavity.
Important for lab exams to label it as "medullary cavity."
Structure and Contents
Location: Located in the diaphysis of long bones.
Contents:
Contains fat or bone marrow and blood vessels.
Types of Marrow
Red Marrow
Function: Hematopoiesis (blood cell production).
Population: Mainly found in infants or fetuses.
Yellow Marrow
Function: Stores triglycerides or fats.
Population: Found after birth and in adults.
Conversion: Can convert to red marrow if more blood cells are needed, and reverts back once the crisis is resolved.
Function of Medullary Cavity
Weight Reduction: Minimizes the weight of the bone by reducing dense bony material where not needed.
Engineering: Provides maximum strength with minimum weight.
Clinical Relevance
Fatty Marrow and Fractures
Fatty Emboli: Fat from the medullary cavity may enter blood vessels after a bone fracture.
Impact: Fat can travel to the lungs and lodge there, causing issues.
Associated Condition: Known as a fatty embolism, similar to pulmonary embolisms, which can be caused by blood clots, air, or even a catheter.
Clinical Note
It's essential to understand the risk of fatty emboli when dealing with fractures of long bones, as it is a significant clinical condition to be aware of.