Yellow bone marrow

Author: Nicola McLaren, MSc • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: October 30, 2023
Reading time: 1 minute

The inner cavities of bones are filled with bone marrow. Both the medullary cavity and the spaces between trabeculae of spongy bone holds this soft spongy marrow tissue. Marrow can be red or yellow or a combination of both. Red bone marrow produces blood cells (red and white) and platelets while the main function of yellow bone marrow is adipose (fat) storage for energy production.

Yellow bone marrow consists of cells and blood vessels held within a connective tissue framework. The majority of cells found in yellow marrow are adipocytes (fat cells), though mesenchymal stem cells are also housed here. Mesenchymal stem cells are cells that can develop into cartilage, bone, fat or muscle cells, if needed. Over time, the red bone marrow in long bones is replaced by yellow bone marrow. However, yellow marrow can be converted back to blood cell producing red marrow if the body’s hematopoietic needs demand it.

Terminology	English: Yellow bone marrow Latin: Medulla flava ossis
Definition and function	Yellow bone marrow is located in the cavities of long bones. It stores fat (adipocytes) and contains mesenchymal stem cells. Yellow bone marrow can convert to red marrow if needed.

Learn more about the anatomy of bones with this study unit:

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References:

Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. (2017). Clinically oriented anatomy (8th ed.). Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.

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Yellow bone marrow

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