Cortical bone is strongest in resisting which type of stress?

Cortical bone is primarily designed to support and withstand compressive forces effectively. This is largely due to its dense and organized structure, which provides strength and stability. In the human body, cortical bone forms the outer layer of bones and is especially prevalent in areas that experience high levels of compressive loads, such as the long bones in the limbs.

When stress is applied to bone, compressive stress tends to compress the material, facilitating the transmission of force along the axis of the bone. The architecture of cortical bone, with its tightly packed osteons, makes it particularly adept at handling these types of loads without deforming or failing. This characteristic is essential for maintaining structural integrity during activities like walking, jumping, or lifting heavy objects where significant compressive forces are applied.

In contrast, while cortical bone can resist tensile and shear forces to some extent, its structural properties make it less capable of withstanding these stresses compared to compressive stress. Understanding the superior resistance of cortical bone to compressive forces helps in fields like orthopedics and biomechanics, where the design of implants and the analysis of bone health are critical.