What is Osteology

                                                                      Osteology:

                Osteology deals with the components of skeleton. Bones are the principal components of a skeleton. Besides, the formation of a skeleton bones acts as levers for muscles, protect certain viscera, manufacture blood cells and also act as reservoir of mineral.

The study of the bones that make up the skeleton, or framework of the body, is osteology. The skeleton gives a basis for the external structure and appearance of most vertebrate animals as we know them. 

All mammals share a basic body plan with striking similarities in skeletal structure. Differences reflect adaptations to specific lifestyles.

Bone:

                Bone is defined as a rigid organ that constitutes part of the vertebrate skeleton. Bones (1)support and protect the various organs of the body, acts as (2)hard frame work, (3)produce Red and White blood cells, (4)store minerals, (5)provide structure and (6)support for the body and (7)enable motility.

Skeleton:

                It is defined as the frame work of body which is constituted by bones that supports an animal body by attaching muscles on the surface of the body and contains all the visceral organs.

Skeleton is divided into two parts:

1.       Axial skeleton

It comprises the bones of the skull, vertebral column, ribs and sternum. Axial skeleton contains the following major visceral organs.

1. Brain & spinal cord

2. Heart

3. lung

2.       Appendicular skeleton

It comprises the bones of limb.

     Fore Limb/Upper Limb: Fore limb/Upper limb is a limb that’s situated anteriorly. Fore limb/Upper limb  in mammals have varying functions but they all are homologus that means they all are evolved from the same structure. Fore/Upper limb has some regions or parts which are consists different bones which are staed below:

a. Thoracic/Shoulder/Pectoral girdle: Scapula, Clavicle, Coracoid

b. Brachium(Arm): Humerus

c. Antebrachium(Fore-arm): Radius, Ulna

d. Carpus(Knee): Carpal

e. Metacarpal(Cannon & Splint Bones): Meta-carpal

f. Digit: Proximal, Middle, Distal phalanges

            Proximal & Distal sesamoid bones

Hind Limb/Lower Limb: Hind Limb/Lower Limb is a limb that’s situated posteriorly. The term ‘’leg’’ is used instead of ‘’Lower limb’’ incase of primates. As like the fore limb the hind limb has also some parts or regions consisting of bones. The regions of hind/lower limb with respective bones are stated below:

a. Pelvic girdle: Sacrum, Ilium, Ischium, Pubis

b. Thigh: Femur

c. Crus/True leg: Tibia, Fibula

d. Tarsus(Hock):Tarsal bone

e. Metatarsus: Metatarsal bones

f. Digit: Proximal, Middle, Distal phalanges

Proximal & Distal sesamoid bone

(Digit:The phalanges are collectively called digit which means digit consists of phalanges.)