No Bones About It! Fun Facts About Bones

No Bones About It! Fun Facts About Bones

It’s no secret that bones are probably the most important parts of our bodies. Our musculoskeletal system allows us to do amazing things, from running and jumping to lifting and throwing, and their durability allows researchers and scientists to use bones as a window into the past, where they can see how early humans lived and survived. Here are some incredible facts about our bodies’ building blocks:

Did You Know…? Having a Spine is Rare

All animals on Earth fall into 2 categories: vertebrates and invertebrates. Fish, amphibians, primates, reptiles, and birds all have a spine, which makes them vertebrates. All other living beings on Earth, such as sea sponges, jellyfish, arthropods, and worms are invertebrates. In fact, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, out of the 1.37 million species living on Earth, only about 67,000 have a spine1. The largest group of invertebrates is class Insecta, which make up about 900,000 known species, or 80% of all species on Earth. Instead of spines, insects have an exoskeleton on the outside of their bodies.Who knew having a backbone would be so rare?

Did You Know…? Pythons Have More Vertebrae than Humans

The number of bones, called vertebrae, in the average human spine is 33. These vertebrae are connected by flexible joints called facets. Birds have about 39 to 65 vertebrae in their spines. Snakes, however, have the largest number of vertebrae by far, with some species having hundreds and hundreds of them. The Australian Oenpelli python, for example, can have up to 600 vertebrae, almost 3 times as many as a human!2

Did You Know…? Babies Have More Bones Than Adults

Although it may seem hard to believe, human babies have more bones in their bodies than human adults. While adults have about 207 bones in their bodies, babies can have around 300.3 Why do they have more? These extra bones are made of soft cartilage and make babies much more flexible, which is important when they are inside the womb and passing through the birth canal. As a baby grows into childhood, these extra bones begin to fuse together. Since children go through a process called “bone remodeling” as they age, this makes them more prone to injury. When children grow into adulthood, their bone count decreases until it settles on 206 bones.

Did You Know…? The “Funny Bone” Isn’t a Bone at All

Have you ever hit your elbow on a table and felt that strange pain that makes you laugh? You may have hit what we know as the “funny bone.” This part of the arm, named after the humerus bone, isn’t a bone at all! It’s actually a nerve called the ulnar nerve, which runs from the elbow all the way up to the hand.4 This nerve isn’t covered with much protection, so it’s easy to hit it on something and make your hand feel funny! 

Did You Know…? 18.5 Million Bone Fractures Happen Every Year

Fractures are one the most common bone injuries in the world. By the age of 65, over half of all Americans will have broken a bone!5 Bones can fracture in multiple different ways, and treatment of them depends on the location and severity of the break. Types of bone fractures include:

• Stress fracture: A tiny crack in the bone caused by force

• Stable fracture: A full brake with both ends of the broken bone still in place

• Compound fracture: A break in which the bone has poked through the skin

• Oblique fracture: The broken bone has a curve or slope

• Transverse fracture: The bones has a horizontal fracture line

• Comminuted fracture: The bones has broken into 3 or more pieces

Fractures are typically diagnosed using modalities such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. Our RadNet radiologists use X-rays to provide a clear image of the bone, and allows our doctors to see exactly where and what type of fracture is present. However, X-rays don’t show soft tissues like ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. If the injury is more severe, our radiologists may use an MRI or CT scan to properly diagnose and treat these fractures. 

At RadNet, our doctors use a variety of imaging modalities to quickly diagnose all kinds of fractures. Through our robust musculoskeletal (MSK) imaging program, our radiologists are able to provide a full range of screening, diagnostic and interventional procedures to meet numerous imaging needs using the latest in MRI and CT technology. 

References

1. https://manoa.hawaii.edu/exploringourfluidearth/biological/invertebrates/what-invertebrate

2. https://www.britannica.com/animal/snake/Form-and-function     

3. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-many-bones-does-a-baby-have#bones-in-babies-and-children 

4. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/did-you-know/funny-bone-not-bone

5. https://www.upmc.com/services/orthopaedics/conditions/fractures-and-breaks