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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- Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas
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Animal Inside Out
A stunning look inside the animal kingdom from the creators of BODY WORLDS.
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Space Junk
A visually stunning exploration of our planet's perilous ring of orbiting debris.
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Air Racers
Ride along as elite pilots fight for position, wingtip-to-wingtip, in the fastest motor sport.
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- Coming Soon
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Inventive Genius Lecture: Empires of Light
Jill Jonnes discusses the electric clashes between Edison, Tesla and Westinghouse.
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The Wooded Isle and Gardens of the World's Fair
Cathy Maloney discusses the gardens of the World's Fairs and tours the Wooded Isle.
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The Wooded Isle and Gardens of the World's Fair
Cathy Maloney returns to discuss World's Fair gardens and tour the Wooded Isle.
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