An idealised, structural model of vertebral cancellous bone has been proposed in order to study its elastoplastic behaviour. A new automated mesh generator was developed to generate a three-dimensional finite element model based on architectural data. Finite element analysis was performed using the code ABAQUS(R), assuming the trabecular tissue behaviour perfectly plastic, in order to simulate a physiological static load (compression test in the vertebral column axis). The stress-strain curve of the model was similar to those obtained experimentally on aged human vertebral cancellous bone specimens (a first linear elastic region followed by a second phase of collapse).