Which statement describes osteopenia?

Which statement describes osteopenia?

• A. Normal bone density
• B. Small additional holes in bone
• C. Increased bone density
• D. Caused by excess calcium

Answer: (B)

Osteopenia is when bone mineral density is lower than normal, so bones become more porous as mineral content declines. This increased porosity shows up as holes or more open spaces in the bone on imaging, reflecting the weaker, less dense bone structure. The statement about small additional holes best captures this idea of reduced density and increased porosity. In contrast, normal density isn’t osteopenia, increased density is the opposite, and excess calcium doesn’t cause this condition.

Osteopenia is when bone mineral density is lower than normal, so bones become more porous as mineral content declines. This increased porosity shows up as holes or more open spaces in the bone on imaging, reflecting the weaker, less dense bone structure. The statement about small additional holes best captures this idea of reduced density and increased porosity. In contrast, normal density isn’t osteopenia, increased density is the opposite, and excess calcium doesn’t cause this condition.