Body Facts: Skeletal System
- The largest bone is the pelvis, or hip bone. It actually consists of six bones joined firmly together.
- The longest bone is the femur in the thigh. It makes up almost one quarter of the body's total height.
- The smallest bone is the stirrup inside the ear. It is hardly larger than a grain of rice.
- The outer ears and the end of the nose do not have bones inside them. Their inner structure is supported by cartilage, which is lighter and more flexible than bone. This is why the nose and ears can be bent.
- After death, cartilage decomposes faster than bone. This is why the skulls of skeletons have no nose or ears.
Facts courtesy of BODY WORLDS.
Image: J.B. Spector/Museum of Science+Industry .
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- Museum Location
- Getting Here
- Happening Now
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Animal Inside Out
A stunning look inside the animal kingdom from the creators of BODY WORLDS.
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The Last Reef
Take a thrilling underwater journey to explore the beauty and mysteries of coral reefs.
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Space Junk
A visually stunning exploration of our planet's perilous ring of orbiting debris.
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- Coming Soon
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80 at 80
See 80 rarely displayed artifacts in an exhibit commemorating the Museum's 80th anniversary.
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MSI's 80th Birthday Party
Join us as we turn 80 with entertainment, a new exhibit, and a unique "cake"!
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Building a Century of Progress
Revisit the memorable architectural and visual design of Chicago's 1933 World's Fair.
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