A method combining experiment with computer image analysis has been developed to analyze the tiny structure of the cancellous bone and to determine the distribution characteristics of the cancellous bone porosity.Based on the microscopical examination and image analysis software self-designed

the total area

solid matrix area and pore area of each specimen and then the cancellous bone porosity are determined

respectively.The analysis results show that for the cancellous bone in the near extremity ot tibia or the far extremity ot tibia

the porosity gradually decreases along the axial direction and cling to the compact bone

but basically keeps constant along the transversal direction.The cancellous bone may be modeled as a transversely isotropic

liquid saturated porous solid.The data suggest that the analysis method and the image analysis sortware could be used to test the cancellous bone porosity relatively accurately.