Fun Facts About Bones and Joints

Fun Facts About Bones

Number of Bones: The adult human body contains 206 bones.
Foot and Hand Bones:
- Human foot has 26 bones.
- Human hand, including the wrist, has 54 bones.
Largest and Smallest Bones:
- The femur (thighbone) is the longest and strongest bone in the human body.
- The stapes, located in the middle ear, is the smallest and lightest bone.
Commonly Broken Bones:
- Arms are frequently broken among adults; the collarbone is commonly broken in children.
Bone Growth and Composition:
- Bones stop growing in length at puberty, but density and strength change throughout life.
- The hyoid bone is the only bone not connected to another, located at the base of the tongue.
- Bones are composed of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, other minerals, and collagen.
Functions of Bones:
- Serve as the skeleton of the body.
- Allow movement and protect organs.
- Produce red and white blood cells.

Joints Overview:
- Joints are where two bones meet or connect.
Ligaments and Tendons:
- Ligaments are tough bands of fibrous connective tissue connecting bones.
- Tendons connect muscle to bone and are made of elastic tissue.
Cartilage:
- It covers bone surfaces in joints, preventing them from rubbing against each other.
Types of Joints:
- Some joints don't move (e.g., skull joints), while synovial joints are movable.
- Synovial joints, found mostly in limbs, contain synovial fluid for smooth movement.
- Ball and Socket Joints: Found in hips and shoulders; allow multi-directional movement.
- Ellipsoidal Joints: Located at the base of the index finger; enable bending and extending.
- Gliding Joints: Found between flat bones in wrists and ankles.
- Hinge Joints: Present in knees and elbows, allowing movement like a hinged door.

Content provided by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Consult your doctor for personal medical advice.