bone density

noun

variants: also bone mineral density

Medical Definition of bone density

: the amount of mineral content per unit volume of bone Bisphosphonates increase bone density by adding minerals to bones.— Jane E. Brody, The New York Times, 5 Apr. 2005 Numerous studies indicate that weight bearing exercise versus non-weight-bearing exercise increases bone density in women younger than 35.— M. R. Hiller, The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union News, 19 Feb. 1993 also : a measurement of this mineral content used to determine the strength of bone and especially to detect osteoporosis … women considered to be at increased risk of osteoporotic fracture on the basis of a low base-line bone density. — Richard L. Prince et al., The New England Journal of Medicine, 24 Oct. 1991