DEXA scanning in osteoporosis evaluation assesses bone mineral density at which sites?

• A. Hip and spine
• B. Wrist and elbow
• C. Skull and mandible
• D. Ribs

Answer: (A)

DEXA screening focuses on sites that best reflect fracture risk and respond to osteoporotic changes. The hip and spine are standard because they contain a large amount of trabecular bone, which loses density earlier and more noticeably with osteoporosis, and because fractures at these locations have the most serious consequences. Measuring BMD at the hip (femoral neck/total hip) and spine provides the strongest correlation with overall fracture risk and guides treatment decisions. Other sites like the wrist, skull, mandible, or ribs don’t predict fracture risk as reliably and aren’t used for the routine initial evaluation.