Chapter 17: Appendix A- Osteology

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Learning Objectives

Identify anatomical position and anatomical planes, and use directional terms to describe relative positions of bones.
Describe the gross structure and microstructure of bone as it relates to bone function.
Describe types of bone formation and remodeling, and identify (by name) all of the bones of the human skeleton.
Distinguish major bony features of the human skeleton like muscle attachment sites and passages for nerves and/or arteries and veins.
Identify the bony features relevant to estimating age, sex, and ancestry in forensic and bioarchaeological contexts.
Compare human and chimpanzee skeletal anatomy.

Image: Classification of Bones by Shape by BruceBlaus under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

About the Authors

Jason M. Organ, Ph.D.

Indiana University School of Medicine

Jason M. Organ, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Anatomy, cell biology, & physiology at the Indiana University School of Medicine and Co-editor and Writer for the Public Library of Science (PLOS) Science Communication Blog, where he advocates for the importance of storytelling and empathy in science communication. Dr. Organ earned his M.A. in anthropology from the University of Missouri and his Ph.D. in functional anatomy & evolution from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He has published over 30 peer-reviewed research papers on evolutionary and mechanical adaptations of bone and muscle in scientific journals and over 40 peer-reviewed teaching modules in digital human anatomy references. Dr. Organ recently completed a three-year term as an elected member of the Board of Directors of the American Association for Anatomy (AAA), where he advocated for the importance of effective science communication and public outreach at the association level, with an emphasis on connecting with policy makers to ensure sufficient federal funding for science. In 2018, Jason received the prestigious AAA Basmajian Award for excellence in teaching gross anatomy and outstanding accomplishments in biomedical research and scholarship in education. Follow Dr. Organ on Twitter: @OrganJM

Jessica N. Byram, Ph.D.

Indiana University School of Medicine

Jessica N. Byram, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Anatomy, cell biology, & physiology at the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM). Jessica earned her M.S. in human biology with a focus in forensic anthropology from the University of Indianapolis and her Ph.D. in anatomy education at IUSM. Jessica is the director of the anatomy education track Ph.D. program at IUSM. Her research interests include medical professionalism, investigating professional identity formation in medical students and residents, and exploring how to improve the learning environments at medical institutions.