Thigh bone. Cross-section through a gross specimen of part of a femur (thigh bone). The inner bone is called spongy, or cancellous, bone. It is characterised by a honeycomb arrangement, comprising a network of trabeculae (lattice-like tissue). These structures provide support and strength to the bone, whilst being lightweight. The spaces within the tissue contain bone marrow, a blood forming substance, that has been lost as this specimen was dried. The perimeter of the bone is made from thicker bone called compact, or cortical, bone.