Types of Bones and Bone Anatomy

You might be surprised to learn that adults have around 206 bones in their bodies. But kids have approximately 270 bones! As we grow, some of our bones fuse together, reducing the number of individual bones. Each bone has a different size, location, and function. For example the femur is known as the thighbone, is the largest and strongest bone in our body. This large bone is like an internal pillar, supporting our entire upper body while we stand, walk, or run. It's so strong that it can withstand nearly 1,700 pounds of force—more than the weight of a small car! 

Types of Bones

It may come to you as a surprise, but the skeletal system bones have many different shapes, locations, and functions. The bones also house several different kinds of marrow inside the bone, under the hard surface, on the outer most layer of the bone. 

The bones of the human body can be broken down into four categories:  long bones, short bones, flat bones, irregular bones. 

• short bones - Short bones are found mainly in the hand and foot. Some types of small bones are the carpals and tarsals which are found in your foot and hand. 
• long bone - Some examples of long bones are humerus, radius, femur, and tibia which are located in the arm and leg. 
• irregular bones -  Irregular bones are found mostly in your skull, vertebrae, and sacrum.
• flat bone -  Flat bones are smooth and found in several places in the body. Examples of the smooth bone are ribs, cranium, scapula, and sternum.

What's in your Bones?

Did you know that our bones are not just boring structures that hold us up? They are actually living tissues that do so much for our bodies! Let's learn more about our incredible bones! Scientifically speaking, bones are made up of two main parts. The first part is called the organic part, which is like the flexible protein called collagen. This gives our bones their strength. The second part is called the inorganic part, which is made up of minerals like calcium and phosphate. These minerals make our bones strong and not easily broken. Our bones help us in important ways. They give our bodies shape and help us move. They also protect our important organs, like our heart. But there's more! Our bones also store calcium, which is a really important mineral our bodies need. Calcium is needed for our heart, muscles, nerves, and many other things to work properly. So next time you look at your bones, remember how awesome they are! They do so much to keep our bodies healthy and strong.

You can learn more about the vital roles bones play in your body producing blood cells, storing important minerals, and protecting delicate organs such as our brain, heart, and lungs, and holding your body upright.