A bone is a rigid organ that constitutes part of the skeleton in most vertebrate animals. [1] Bones protect the organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells, store minerals, help regulate acid-base homeostasis, provide structure and support for the body, and enable mobility and hearing. Bone is a rigid body tissue consisting of cells embedded in an abundant hard intercellular material.

Understanding the Context

Bone tissue makes up the individual bones of the skeletons of vertebrates. Its two principle components are collagen and calcium phosphate. BONE is an interdisciplinary forum for the rapid publication of original articles and reviews on basic, translational, and clinical aspects of bone and mineral metabolism, including rare bone diseases. Explore the skeletal system with our interactive 3D anatomy models.

Key Insights

Learn about the bones, joints, and skeletal anatomy of the human body. Ready for the ultimate sleep upgrade? Bones are classified by their shape. They may be long (like the femur and forearm), short (like the wrist and ankle), flat (like the skull), or irregular (like the spine). Primarily, they are referred to as long or short.

Final Thoughts

There are 206 bones in the adult human skeleton. Bones are your body’s structural support. There are between 206 and 213 bones in the body. Bone tissue is strong enough to support your weight and help you move. Bone tissue (osseous tissue) differs greatly from other tissues in the body. Bone is hard and many of its functions depend on that characteristic hardness.

Later discussions in this chapter will show that bone is also dynamic in that its shape adjusts to accommodate stresses. Bone is a living, rigid tissue of the human body that makes up the body's skeletal system. What is a bone? A bone is a somatic structure that is composed of calcified connective tissue.