All about bones

Published December 17, 2010

There are 206 bones in our body.

There are 14 bones in our face.

Each wrist consists of eight bones.

There are 23 bones in each foot, including the ankle.

Our bones consist of 50 per cent water and 50 per cent solid matter.

The marrow inside our bone provides a site for the formation of blood cells.

Bones give points of attachments for the muscles so that they serve as levers and make movement possible.

Bones have small blood vessels and lymphatic tissue for the maintenance and repair of bone tissue.

The ribs surround and protect our vital organs like the heart, lungs, liver, spleen and kidneys.

When we are born we have over 300 bones. As we grow, some of these bones fuse together till there are only 206 bones.

The skull, a series of fused bones, acts like a hard protective helmet for the brain.

The vertebrae (a bony spinal column) surrounds and protects the spinal cord, which is a complex bundle of nerves.

When there’s not enough calcium in the bloodstream, the body attempts to pull calcium from the bones, which thins and weakens them. This causes osteoporosis, which leads to breaks and fractures.

By the age of 20, the average young person has acquired roughly 98 per cent of his/her skeletal mass.

Calcium helps prevent breast and colon cancer, prevents cavities and strengthens tooth enamel, reduces hypertension and lowers blood pressure, and also helps promote weight loss.