What Is the Meaning of Osteology?

Osteology is the study of bone structure and function, whether human or animal. Osteology is used throughout the medical profession and also in other fields, including archaeology, paleontology and criminology.

Identification

• Osteologists divide the skeleton into two parts: the axial or trunk, and the appendicular or limbs. Bones are divided into four categories: long, short, flat and irregular.

Features

• Bones are considered either metric or non-metric. Metric bones can be measured and compared against similar bones, while non-metric bones often fuse with other bones and cannot be measured.

Significance

• Bones can determine age, sex, likely race, general health and overall stature, plus the amount of time lapsed since death.

Considerations

• Skulls allow osteologists to quickly determine animal type.

  The skull is best for determining species, but the density, shape and size of other bones also indicate origin. Fragmented bones are the most difficult from which to extrapolate information.

Disciplines

• Osteology contains several academic disciplines, including molecular, which studies DNA extracted from bones, and dental, which examines dental records. Forensic osteology is used in archaeology, paleontology and criminal investigations.

Issues

• Some organizations and families cite moral objections to using bones for medical research. Others believe handling the deceased disturbs their eternal rest. Ethicists warn against using bones to draw broad conclusions about ethnicity or gender.