Just imagine: your skeleton, which seems so strong and reliable, actually weighs only 5-6 kilograms. Yes, the entire bone structure that supports our body makes up only a small part of the total mass of our body. In addition, bones are not just a “framework” to which muscles are attached. They are a complex structure that can tell you a lot of interesting things. Want to know more about what’s hidden under our skin? Then let’s dive into the fascinating world of bone structure and uncover even more amazing secrets!
There are many interesting things to say about human bones
Contents
- 1 How much do human bones weigh
- 2 How many bones are in the human body
- 3 What is osteoporosis
- 4 The strongest human bone
- 5 The smallest human bone
- 6 What are human bones made of
- 7 What color are human bones
How much do human bones weigh
The human skeleton— is a truly amazing creation of nature, which serves as our support and protection, while remaining surprisingly light and strong. On average, bones make up about 15% of the total body weight. In men, this figure is slightly higher — about 18%, while in women — about 16%. This is explained by the fact that women's bones are usually thinner and lighter. As a result, the total weight of bones in an adult man is about 4-5 kg, and in women — about 2-3 kg.
However, despite their relatively low weight, human bones are stronger than steel. If our skeleton were made of steel, its weight would reach 180-240 kilograms!
The human skeleton does not weigh as much as many people think. Image source: wallpapers.99px.ru
For children and the elderly, the percentage of bone weight may differ. In children, the skeleton is actively developing and can make up to 20% of body weight. In the elderly, due to a natural decrease in bone density, this figure decreases. The exact weight of bones is different for each person and depends on many factors – from height and weight to lifestyle.
How many bones are in the human body
The body of an adult has from 206 to 208 bones. This number can vary slightly depending on individual characteristics. For example, someone may have extra small bones, such as the accessory navicular bone in the foot, which occurs in 1 in 10 people. Also, some people have extra ribs or extra vertebrae due to mutations, which also affects the total number of bones.
Some people have more bones in their feet than others. Image source: stopa03.ru
Throughout life, our bones are constantly changing: old cells are destroyed, and new ones appear in their place. Until the age of 30, bone tissue is actively renewed, and the bones remain dense and strong. However, after 40 years, this process slows down, and the bones gradually lose their density, becoming more fragile. This is a natural aging process that can lead to problems such as osteoporosis.
Read also: Which animals have the strongest bones – you will never guess
What is osteoporosis
By the way, about osteoporosis. Many more people suffer from it than many people think.
Osteoporosisis a serious disease in which bones become brittle and porous, which significantly increases the risk of fractures even with minor injuries.
With age, bone density decreases, and after 40 years, the processes of bone tissue destruction begin to prevail over its restoration. This is a natural process that can worsen if you do not pay due attention to prevention.
People with osteoporosis often break bones even with minor injuries. Image source: med-kontakt.ru
The danger of osteoporosis is that it may not show any noticeable symptoms for a long time. Many people find out about the disease only after their first fracture, for example, of the hip. It is these fractures that often lead to serious consequences: according to statistics, 20% of people with such a fracture die within the first year, and 40% remain bedridden or need crutches.
Osteoporosis affects millions of people worldwide and, according to the WHO, is the fourth leading cause of disability and death, behind only cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes.
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The strongest human bone
The strongest bone in the human body is the femur. It is located at the top of the leg and connects the pelvis to the knee, taking on almost all the weight of our body. The femur is not only the strongest bone, but also the longest. In a person 174 centimeters tall, the length of the femur is more than 40 centimeters.
Human femur. Image source: istockphoto.com
This bone is capable of withstanding enormous loads. For example, when jumping or running, it is subjected to a force several times greater than the body weight. To break the femur, it would take a serious impact, such as a fall from a height or a car accident. In an upright position, itcan withstand a mass of 1,500 kilograms. Such strength is due to its dense structure and unique structure, which makes it virtually invulnerable under normal conditions.
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The smallest human bone
The smallest bone in the human body— this is the stapes, which is located in the middle ear. It is really tiny — about the size of an orange seed. The stapes performs a very important task: it transmits sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear, where these signals are converted into nerve impulses, which we perceive as sound.
The stirrup compared to a coin. Image source: wikimedia.org
Together with two other bones, the malleus and the incus, the stapes forms a chain in the middle ear, providing sound transmission. Each of these bones is named so for a reason: their shapes really do resemble a hammer, anvil, and stirrup. Despite their microscopic size, these bones play a key role in our hearing.
What Human Bones Are Made Of
Human bones are complex living tissues with unique properties. Their basis is bone tissue, which combines strength and flexibility.
Bones consist of organic and inorganic components. The organic part, consisting of collagen fibers, gives bones elasticity and flexibility. The inorganic part is represented by mineral salts, such as hydroxyapatite— a compound of calcium and phosphorus, which provide bones with hardness and strength.
Human bone in cross-section. Image source: travelask.ru
Bones contain three types of cells. Osteoblastsare responsible for the construction of new bone tissue, osteocytesmaintain its structure, and osteoclastsdestroy old tissue, ensuring bone renewal. Inside the bones is bone marrow: red is responsible for the formation of blood cells, and yellow serves as a kind of reservoir for fatty tissue.
The outer part of the bone is covered by periosteum – a thin but dense layer that nourishes the bone and helps it recover from injuries.
What color are human bones
Did you know that in reality, human bones are not snow-white, as they are shown to us in books and cartoons? In a living organism, they have a light beige or yellowish tint, which is due to the presence of bone marrow, blood vessels and other tissues that give them a warmer and richer tone.
As you can see, human bones are far from snow-white. Image source: wikimedia.org
The color of bonesmay vary depending on age and the condition of the body. In young people and children, they often appear lighter due to their dense structure and high collagen content. With age, however, bones can darken due to loss of density and changes in the composition of the bone marrow. After death, when soft tissue and moisture leave the bones, they can acquire a light white or grayish tint. But sometimes human bones are stained black.
Thus, our bones are far from the ideal whiteness that we are used to seeing on the screen.
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