WHAT IS OSTEOLOGY? OUTSTANDING FEATURES - ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY - 2025

The osteology is a branch of anatomy that is responsible for studying the skeletal system and its individual components, ie the bones. In humans, the bone system is made up of about 206 bones.

The figure may vary due to the existence of sesamoid ossicles, present in the muscles of the hands and feet, whose distribution differs from one human being to another.

The object of study of this science includes the analysis of the tissues that form bone structures and the classification of bones, taking into account their shape, function and location. This implies that the area of ​​study of osteology is wide.

For example, depending on their location, we can talk about cranial, facial, cervical, dorsal, lumbar, thoracic, pelvic bones, bones of the extremities, among others.

These categories house various pieces. For example, within the cranial bones are the occipital, frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid bones.

Woven bone

Osteology is responsible for the study of bone tissue, which is the substance that makes up bones.

This is made up of special cells (called osteocytes), collagen fibers and calcium in various forms.

Bone tissue can be of two types: trabecular or compact. Trabecular tissue is characterized by being spongy, less dense and lighter. It has hollow spaces inside, which makes it weaker.

For its part, the compact tissue is hard, dense, heavy. In addition, it is much stronger and more resistant than trabecular tissue.

The 5 main functions of bones

Osteology studies the various functions of bones. These can be classified as structural, protective, locomotive, warehouse and hematopoietic.

1- Structural functions

The main function of the bones is to offer support and support. These two elements allow the body to have a defined structure.

2- Protective functions

Many of the bone structures are responsible for protecting other organs of the body. For example, the cranial cavity protects the brain, the spinal column protects the spinal cord, and the chest cavity protects the lungs and heart.

3- Locomotive functions

The bones, together with the muscles and joints, allow the individual to move the different parts of their body and move.

4- Storage functions

Bones function as a storehouse for mineral substances, mainly phosphorus. Another substance that is reserved in these structures is magnesium.

5- Hematopoietic function

Some bones, such as spongy bones, have vascular systems that contain red bone marrow.

Thanks to this marrow, hematopoiesis occurs, which is the name given to the creation of blood cells. In other words, bones are involved in the formation of blood.

Types of bones

According to its shape

By their shape, bones can be classified into: long, short, flat, irregular and sesamoid.

-Long bones

The long bones are of considerable length. At the ends they have two rounded structures called epiphyses.

The central part of the bone is called the diaphysis. Some examples of these types of bones are the femur, humerus, and radius.

- Short bones

As the name implies, these bones are small. Inside they are made up of trabecular or spongy bone tissue.

On the outside they are covered by compact bone tissue. Examples of short bones are the bones of the wrists and ankles.

- Flat bones

Flat bones are sheets of spongy bone tissue, covered with compact bone tissue.

These have two functions: the first is to offer protection to the internal organs of the body, such as the heart and the brain. The second function is to provide fixation zones for the muscles to attach to the skeleton.

Some examples of flat bones are the cranial bones (such as the occipital and temporal bones), the bones of the chest (such as the shoulder blades, sternum, and ribs), and the bones of the hip or pelvis (such as the ilium and ischium).

- Irregular bones

Unlike bones in the previous categories, irregular bones do not have a definite shape.

For this reason they constitute a group apart. The most common example of irregular bones are the vertebrae.

- Sesamoid bones

Sesamoid bones are those found in the tendons of some muscles, especially in the hands, feet, and knees.

The function of the sesamoids is to protect the tendons from wear and tear.

According to your location

By the place where they are, the bones can be classified into axial and appendicular.

- Axial bones

The axial bones are those that belong to the skull, face, spine and thorax.

Some examples of axial bones are:

- The occiput, which is located at the back of the skull.

- The frontal, which is in the upper front part of the skull.

- The jaw, which is a facial bone located in the lower front part of the head.

- The maxilla, facial bone located on the jaw.

- The zygomatic, which forms the cheekbones.

- The cervicals, seven vertebrae found in the neck.

- The dorsal, twelve vertebrae found in the back.

- The ribs, twelve pairs of bones that protect the lungs and the heart.

- The sternum, a flat bone found in the thorax and to which the ribs are attached.

- Appendicular bones

The appendicular bones are those that are part of the upper and lower extremities.

Some appendicular bones are:

- The shoulder blade or scapula, bone of the upper extremities that gives shape to the shoulder.

- The humerus, which is the bone of the arm.

- The ulna and radius, which are two bones that make up the forearm.

- The carpus, also known as the wrist bone.

- The phalanges, which are the bones of the fingers (both hands and feet).

- The femur, the long bone that forms the thigh.

- The tibia and fibula, which are two bones that make up the lower leg.

- The tarsus, formed by seven bones that create the heel.

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