The Bone Museum

Step into a realm where history and science converge at The Bone Museum, located in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. Our latest video highlights some of our most captivating new additions: an exostosis (or “rider’s bone”)—a rare bony growth sometimes found in the femur of horseback riders, a medically modified human hand, a femur displaying the destructive lesions of advanced syphilitic infection, and many more. These, alongside countless other rare and unusual specimens, offer a powerful glimpse into the intricate stories bones can tell — from development and trauma to the enduring mysteries of medical history. #osteology #humanbone

This Sunday, July 20th, we’re hosting a very special event at The Bone Museum. Johnny—who underwent a below-the-knee amputation in 2015 and made the extraordinary decision to have his leg skeletonized—will be joining us in person to share his story of resilience, transformation, and reclaiming one’s narrative. We’re honored to have both Johnny and his actual leg on display in the museum as part of our collection. July 20th he’ll be here to meet guests, answer questions, and shed light on what it means to turn trauma into education.

Step into a realm where history and science converge at The Bone Museum, located in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. Our latest video highlights some of our most captivating new additions: an exostosis (or “rider’s bone”)—a rare bony growth sometimes found in the femur of horseback riders, a medically modified human hand, a femur displaying the destructive lesions of advanced syphilitic infection, and many more. We’re also thrilled to introduce Bone Jovi, our new feline companion and unofficial museum mascot. Plus, on display now: a skull from an individual with gigantism who would have stood over 7’3” tall, and a craniotomy specimen showing signs of severe infection. These, alongside countless other rare and unusual specimens, offer a powerful glimpse into the intricate stories bones can tell — from development and trauma to the enduring mysteries of medical history.

Step into a realm where history and science converge at The Bone Museum, located in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. Our latest video highlights some of our most captivating new additions: a femur affected by polio, a skull exhibiting signs of tertiary syphilis, and the incredible honor of displaying a skeletonized foot from Johnny — who underwent a below-the-knee amputation in 2015 and has generously loaned his leg to the museum. Plus, meet our newest team member: Bone Jovi, the museum cat. These, alongside countless other rare and unique specimens, offer a powerful glimpse into the intricate stories bones can tell — from development and trauma to the enduring mysteries of medical history.

Meet Bone Jovi — the newest member of The Bone Museum team 🐾🦴 Originally joining us through a cat adoption event with Best Friends Animal Society, Bone Jovi quickly stole our hearts (and our visitors’ too). Calm, curious, and incredibly charming, he was the standout among the adoptable cats — so we made it official. He now joins us full-time as our resident professional mouser and feline ambassador, following in the pawprints of our beloved and now-retired museum cat, Chonk, who loyally served for five years before retiring to a cushier life at home. Come say hi to Bone Jovi on your next visit — he might just give you a tour 🐱✨

What Happens When You Ride Too Much? 🐎 This bony bump isn’t just a coincidence—it’s called rider’s bone, or rider’s exostosis. Found most often in horseback riders, it’s caused by repeated pressure and friction against the inner thigh, leading the body to lay down extra bone as a protective response. In this video, we take a close look at this fascinating adaptation and what it reveals about the life and habits of those who rode long and hard.

Not all spinal curves are created equal. 🌀 This is kyphosis—a forward rounding of the spine that can range from a subtle stoop to a pronounced hunchback. It can be postural, congenital, degenerative, or the result of trauma or disease like osteoporosis. In this video, we break down the different types of kyphosis, what causes them, and how they leave their mark on the bones. 🦴

Step into a realm where history and science converge at The Bone Museum, located in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. Our latest video highlights some of our most captivating new additions: a non-union femoral neck fracture, a skull with leprosy completely missing its nose, a metal hip replacement, and a child skeleton prepared by Carolina Biological Supply in 1984. These, alongside countless other rare and unusual specimens, offer a powerful glimpse into the intricate stories bones can tell — from development and trauma to the enduring mysteries of medical history.

Come meet Johnny — the man behind the leg. 🦵🦿 On July 20th, he’s joining us at The Bone Museum to share his story in person. Born with a club foot and after a lifetime of surgeries, pain, and ultimately amputation, Johnny made the rare decision to have his leg medically skeletonized. Now, it’s on display — and so is his resilience. Don’t miss this unforgettable chance to learn about his journey firsthand. 🦴 📍The Bone Museum 📅 Sunday, July 20th ⏰ More Details Coming Soon!

Step into a realm where history and science converge at The Bone Museum, located in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. Our latest video highlights some of our most captivating new additions: the skull of an individual with gigantism who stood over 7 feet 3 inches tall, a rare femur affected by polio, a skull that has been completely disarticulated for anatomical study, and the preserved remains of an ankle amputation — each telling a remarkable story of the human body’s extremes and adaptations. These, alongside countless other rare and unusual specimens, offer a powerful glimpse into the intricate stories bones can tell — from development and trauma to the enduring mysteries of medical history.

This might be the most important structure in the human skull—and most people have never heard of it. 🧠 In this rare medical preparation, we reveal the dura mater, the brain’s tough protective covering, still intact and visible. Learn how this vital membrane shields the brain and creates internal support through dural folds like the falx cerebri and tentorium cerebelli. A fascinating glimpse into the body’s hidden architecture.

Step into a realm where history and science converge at The Bone Museum, located in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. Our latest video highlights some of our most captivating new additions: a human spine contorted by idiopathic scoliosis, a syphilitic leg marked by destructive lesions, and a selection of bones showcasing a wide range of traumatic injuries. Plus, making a special cameo appearance—our vibrant giant day gecko. These, alongside countless other rare and unusual specimens, offer a powerful glimpse into the intricate stories bones can tell — from development and trauma to the enduring mysteries of medical history.

In this video, we dive into the groundbreaking experiments of René Le Fort, the man behind one of the most important classifications in facial trauma. Using cadavers, Le Fort subjected the human skull to a series of controlled impacts to understand how the face fractures under pressure. What he discovered were three consistent and predictable fracture patterns—now known as Le Fort I, II, and III. We break down each fracture type, explain how they occur, and show how Le Fort’s early 1900s experiments continue to guide modern maxillofacial surgery and trauma treatment today. From flying projectiles to blunt force trauma, you’ll learn how Le Fort mapped the structural weaknesses of the human face—one shattered skull at a time. If you would like to learn more about the history of Rene LeFort and get a deep-dive into the experiments, our long-form video is now up on YouTube!

At The Bone Museum, we usually explore the secrets hidden within human bones—but today, we’re shifting focus to something a little more reptilian. 🦎 Under ultraviolet light, the skeleton of the Giant Leaf-Tailed Gecko reveals an eerie, glowing fluorescence. But why do gecko bones glow in the dark? In this video, we dive into the science of UV fluorescence in osteology, the structure of gecko bones, and what makes these nocturnal lizards so uniquely adapted for survival. A rare glimpse into non-human osteology—because bones, no matter the species, always have stories to tell. Special thanks to our friends at the Gecko Gallery in NYC for making this collaboration possible.

This skull shows the surgical mark of modern neurology. The small, symmetrical burr holes on the top of the cranium are evidence of deep brain stimulation (DBS)—a procedure where electrodes are implanted into the brain to treat conditions like Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. These tiny openings allowed neurosurgeons to insert probes with millimeter precision, delivering electrical impulses to regulate abnormal brain activity. While the brain may be gone, the story of its treatment lives on in bone.

🦴 What do beef jerky, leather cork, and papier-mâché have in common? They’ve all been used to replicate costal cartilage in human skeleton preparations. Costal cartilage connects your ribs to your sternum—and in preserved skeletons, it’s often missing, replaced, or creatively reconstructed. In this video, we explore the weird and wonderful materials used to mimic this flexible structure, from authentic preserved tissue to plastic stand-ins and handcrafted papier-mâché. 💀 You’ll never look at a ribcage the same way again.

Why is this bone bent like that? What looks like a simple crooked elbow is actually something far more specific—gun-stock deformity, also known as cubitus varus. This distinctive inward bend of the arm resembles the angle of an old rifle stock, and it’s most often the long-term result of a childhood fracture that healed improperly. In this video, we take a close look at how this deformity shows up on real bone, what causes it, and how it affects movement and function. From supracondylar fractures to surgical correction, we’re breaking down the anatomy behind the bend.

🦴 How to Find the Bone Museum 🗺️ Getting lost? Not on our watch. Here’s your step-by-step guide to finding the Bone Museum and getting inside—no scavenger hunt required (unless you’re into that). Watch this before you visit to make your trip bone-afide smooth! 💀📍

🦴 Beneath the surface of one of the world’s oldest fraternal orders lies a secret wrapped in bone. The Oddfellows—known for their mysterious rituals—once used real human skeletons in their initiation rites. But why? In this short, we uncover the strange and symbolic history of the Oddfellows’ bones—and what they were meant to teach new members. Watch the full story now on YouTube to explore the real skeletons, forgotten crypts, and enduring legacy of this secretive society.

Ever wondered how dentists learned to drill before working on real patients? Meet the dental phantom—a training tool used for over a century to teach oral surgery, extractions, and restorations. This particular phantom uses a real human skull outfitted with metal brackets and hinges to simulate jaw movement. From real teeth to hinged jaws, early dental phantoms were as eerie as they were ingenious. Let’s take a closer look at the history, evolution, and craftsmanship behind these fascinating teaching tools.