Fast Facts about Bone

206
the number of bones in your body (We’re born with more than 300 bones but as we grow some of the bones grow together leaving us with 206.)

The ear
the location of the smallest bone in your body (Called the stirrup bone, it’s the size of half a grain of rice.)

12 weeks
the average amount of time it takes a broken bone to heal

44 million
the number of Americans affected by osteoporosis and osteopenia

1 out of 2
the ratio of American women affected by osteoporosis and osteopenia

Osteopenia
the condition where bone mineral density is low. This may not be an indication of bone loss.

12
the number of bones in your face

8
the number of bones in each wrist (also known as the carpal)

Fracture
what a broken bone is called

20
the age at which most young adults have approximately 98% of their skeletal mass

Coccyx
the medical term for your tailbone

50% water and 50% solid matter
the composition of your bones

The leg
the location of the largest bone in your body (It is called the thighbone or femur.)

35%
the percentage of American adults who consume the recommended daily allowance of calcium.  Are you one of them? Click here to find out!


Interested in more bone facts? Check out these references and resources:

• Kids Health: http://kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/aches/broken_bones.html
• CDC http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/vitamins/calcium.html
• NIAMS http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/osteoporosis_ff.asp
• http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/osteoporosis.pdf
• Fit Bones http://www.fitbones.org/OsteoporosisInformation/Learn/Facts.aspx
• Guide2BoneHealth http://guide2bonehealth.com/osteoporosis-fast-facts
• BBF http://www.bestbonesforever.gov/parents/osteoporosis/facts.cfm

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