Human Osteology

2. Made by: Dr Pankti Patel
M.Sc. Forensic Odontology
Volunteer at AFRS

3.  What is Osteology?
 Types of human skeleton
 Functions of bones
 Classification of bones

4.  Skeleton- The human body is made up of several bones and
cartilages, which together forms the human skeleton.
 Endoskeleton- Skeleton found internally in the body.
 Exoskeleton- Skeleton found outside the body. In humans, this is
very rudimentary pertaining to nails and enamel of the teeth.
 Osteology- The science concerned with the study of skeleton is
called osteology.
 An adult human skeletal system is made up of total 206 bones.
 There are two types of skeleton:
 Axial
 Appendicular

5.  These bones form the axis of the body and support organs
of head, neck and trunk.
 Total 80 bones form the axial skeleton which include:
-Skull (Cranial bones and facial bones- 28)
-Auditory ossicles (6)
-Hyoid bone (1)
-Vertebral column (26)
-Thoracic cage (Sternum -1 , ribs -24)

6.  Total 126 bones of upper limb (64) and lower limb (62)
along with bony girdles that achor the appendages with
the axial skeleton
 Upper limb- Humerus, ulna, radius, carpals, metacarpals and
phalanges of hand
 Lower limb- Femur, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals and
phalanges of feet
 Shoulder girdle- Scapula and clavicle
 Pelvic girdle- Sacrum,ilium, ischium and pubis

7. Image ref.- TeachPE.com

8.  Forms the body framework to provide shape and form to the
body.
 Supports and transmits weight of the body
 Provides framework for locomotion and articulation.
 Gives attachment to muscles and ligaments.
 Provides protection to vital internal organs like brain, lungs and
heart.
 Storage of calcium
 Blood cell formation within bone marrow

9.  According to position:
-Axial
- Appendicular
 According to size and shape :
-Long bones – act as levers for movements and locomotion.
For ex: humerus, ulna, radius, femur, tibia and fibula.
-Short long bones- same as above but miniature in size. For
ex: metacarpals, metatarsals and phalanges.
-Short bones- small, polyhedral and cuboidal like. They
provide strength and compactness but limited range of
motion. For ex: Carpals and tarsals.

10. -Flat bones - Expanded and plate like flat. Protect vital organs
and areas for muscular attachment. For ex: Sternum,
scapula, ribs, parietal and frontal bones.
-Irregular bones- do not fit in any of the above categories. For
ex: Vertebrae, some skull bones
-Pneumatic bones- flat and irregular with hollow space within
which is filled with air. For ex: maxilla, mastoid, ethmoid
-Sesamoid bones- Seed like. They are nodules of bones which
develop in some tendons and ossify after birth. They protect
tendon from stress and wear. For ex: Patella (largest
sesamoid bone, develops from quadriceps femoris tendon)

11.  According to gross structure:
a. Compact (lamellar) bone- outer cortical part of long
bones.
b. Spongy (cancellous) bone- inner part of bone that is less
hard seen in flat bones, irregular bones and ends of long
bones.
c. Diploic bone- consists of inner and outer covering of
compact bone with intervening porous layer of spongy
bone.
• According to development:
a) Membranous/ ectochondrial bones- which develop from
the membrane
b) Cartilaginous/ endochondrial bones- which develop
from the cartilage. Seen in most of cranial bones.