Cortical Thickness As An Estimate Of Mineral Content Of Human Humerus And Femur

Cortical index which is the ratio of cortical to shaft width of long bones was compared with the mineral content of 38 humeri and 47 femora. For the humerus a highly significant correlation (P <0·001) was found, while for the femur the correlation was probably significant (P <0·05). Even if the cortical index can furnish an easy and objective means of assessing an aspect of osteoporosis in certain cases, it cannot be considered as a reliable estimate of the true mineral content of the bones in question, still less of the entire skeleton.