The Bone Museum

Every bone tells a story — from rare pathologies to remarkable anomalies, these specimens help us understand the complexities of the human body like never before. Explore the extraordinary collection at The Bone Museum.

Did you know that horseback riding can leave a mark on your bones? 🐎 ‘Rider’s bone’—or rider’s bone exostosis—is a bony growth that develops from repeated pressure and friction against the inner thigh. This condition was once common in cavalry riders and but can still appear in modern equestrians. Let’s take a closer look at how this bone adaptation forms and what it tells us about skeletal changes from repeated activity! #EquestrianLife #boneanatomy #bonemuseum #jonsbones

COMING SOON: The Beauchene Adolescent Skull A Rare Intersection of Science & Art For the last few years, we’ve been working behind the scenes on something truly special. This March, The Bone Museum in Brooklyn, New York, will unveil a rare, fully articulated Beauchene adolescent skull—a stunning display of craftsmanship and osteological study. By @matthallartpdx Also known as an “exploded skull”, this centuries-old preparation method was originally pioneered in the 18th century by French anatomist Claude Beauchene as a way to study the individual bones of the skull while preserving their natural articulation. Today, it’s a dying craft, with only a handful of skilled preparators still practicing this meticulous technique. Every single piece of this mount was custom-made for this build, ensuring accuracy and elegance in its final form. The result? A masterpiece of anatomy and artistry, showcasing the delicate balance between science and sculpture. Stay tuned as we reveal more details leading up to its debut. This is an exhibit you won’t want to miss. #BeaucheneSkull #ExplodedSkull #Beauchene #Anatomy #TheBoneMuseum

206 bones—where are they all? 🦴 Big thanks to Anatomy App for the incredible photo references that helped bring this breakdown to life! The human skeleton is a masterpiece of engineering, but have you ever counted every single bone? From the 22 bones in the skull to the 56 in your hands and feet, let’s break it down (without breaking any bones). Stick around as we go from head to toe, uncovering the full skeletal story! #Anatomy #Bones #SkeletalSystem #Science

Exciting News: The Bone Museum Gift Shop is Now Open! We’re thrilled to announce the soft opening of The Bone Museum Gift Shop! Now, you can take home a piece of your favorite museum with exclusive swag, merchandise, and more—all while supporting the preservation of our collection and helping keep our incredible team paid. Located inside The Bone Museum, you’ll see it as soon as you pass by. While this is just the beginning, we have so much more in store, and we can’t wait to share it with you. Come check it out, grab some unique finds, and be part of our journey! See you soon at The Bone Museum Gift Shop! 🦴✨

Leprosy doesn’t just leave its mark on the skin—it can reshape the bones beneath. In advanced cases, the nasal bones are often affected, leading to collapse and deformation as the disease attacks the soft tissues and bone structure. 💀 #BoneMuseum #LeprosyHistory #MedicalAnatomy #SkeletalChanges

Step into a realm where history and science converge at the Bone Museum, located in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. Our latest video invites you to unravel the secrets behind a skull with an infected craniotomy, examine the delicate remains of a child skeleton, and explore the complexities of skulls marked by extreme trauma, including a skull with a broken jaw. Plus, discover some rare resin pieces that showcase the intricate network of nerves and veins. Immerse yourself in the extraordinary details of our collection. #osteology #thebonemuseum #bonemuseum #forensicscience #nycevents

Why do some skulls have unusually thin parietal bones? While age and genetics play a role, some medical conditions may also contribute. Let’s take a closer look at this intriguing skeletal variation!

Did you know that dancers can develop extra bone growth from repeatedly pointing their toes? ‘Dancer’s ankle’ happens when the bones in the back of the foot collide, leading to painful bone spurs. Over time, these spurs can limit movement and even require surgery. Let’s take a look at what’s happening inside the bone! #DancersAnkle #BoneSpurs #forensicanthropology

Crabs have exoskeletons, while humans have endoskeletons, leading to key structural and functional differences. A crab’s exoskeleton is made of chitin and calcium carbonate, providing strong external protection but requiring periodic molting for growth, making them vulnerable during this stage. In contrast, humans have an internal skeleton made of calcium phosphate, which grows continuously and allows for greater flexibility and complex movements. Crabs attach muscles to the inside of their exoskeleton, while humans attach muscles externally to bones, enabling larger body sizes and greater mobility. Unlike crabs, which can regenerate lost limbs over multiple molts but cannot repair their exoskeleton, humans cannot regrow limbs but can heal broken bones through remodeling. Exoskeletons provide armor-like protection, whereas endoskeletons allow for enhanced movement, adaptability, and growth, making each system uniquely suited to its environment. #crab #crabs #exoskeleton

Orthopedic implants have revolutionized medicine, restoring mobility and relieving pain for millions. From hip replacements that mimic natural movement to acetabulum cages reinforcing the pelvis, knee joint replacements enabling smooth motion, and pedicle screws stabilizing the spine—these devices transform lives. But how do they work, and what makes each implant unique? Join us as we explore the fascinating world of orthopedic implants, their function, and the engineering behind them! 🦴🔩 #OrthopedicImplants #MedicalTechnology #bonehealth

The hyoid bone is one of the most unique bones in the human body—it doesn’t directly connect to any other bone. Instead, it “floats” in the neck, suspended by muscles and ligaments. While ligaments do attach to it, none of them link it to another bone, making it the only truly independent bone in the body. This small, horseshoe-shaped structure sits just above the larynx and serves as an anchor for the tongue, playing a crucial role in speech, swallowing, and breathing. Its unique position also makes it important in forensic science, as fractures to the hyoid can indicate strangulation. Despite its small size and obscurity, the hyoid bone is essential for communication, survival, and even criminal investigations.

One of the most common questions we receive about our pediatric skeleton is, ‘How does a child skeleton get skeletonized?’ Legally, for a pediatric skeleton to be part of a medical collection, the child’s parents would have had to donate their body to science. While we can’t always determine an exact cause of death from bones alone, certain skeletal features can offer insight into their life and health. This specimen shows fused cervical vertebrae, most likely due to Klippel-Feil syndrome—a rare congenital condition where vertebrae fail to segment properly during development. This can lead to a shortened neck, limited mobility, and complications such as scoliosis, hearing loss, and even congenital heart defects. While this exhibit provides a fascinating glimpse into skeletal development, it also serves as a reminder of the medical challenges individuals with rare conditions may face. We share this with care and respect, aiming to educate and deepen our understanding of human osteology. #BoneMuseum #Osteology #HumanSkeleton #KlippelFeilSyndrome #PediatricSkeleton #medicalhistory

Enhancing Accessibility at The Bone Museum! We’re excited to introduce a new accessibility initiative at The Bone Museum: QR-coded exhibits with in-depth video guides! Now, every unique piece in our collection has a QR code that links to a detailed video where we discuss its history, significance, and unique features. These videos provide both audio and visual guidance, with speakers pointing out key details to enhance your understanding. Additionally, our updated plaques now include illustrations to make information more accessible to all visitors. This initiative ensures that everyone—whether you’re a visual learner, rely on audio descriptions, or simply want deeper insight—can engage with our collection in a meaningful way. Come explore, scan, and learn! #TheBoneMuseum #Accessibility #MuseumEducation #SkeletalAnatomy #medicalhistory

Think you know your bones? We put people to the test with this quick anatomy quiz! 📚💀 If you didn’t get all 5 right, you legally have to follow us—sorry, we don’t make the rules. ⚖️ #AnatomyQuiz #bonequiz #bonemuseum

This skull holds a hidden pathology—one caused by a frontal sinus mucocele. Over time, this mucus-filled cyst expanded, creating pressure that eroded the superior medial portion of the skull. Mucoceles form when sinus drainage is blocked, leading to slow but destructive bone remodeling. If left untreated, they can invade surrounding structures, including the orbit and brain. This kind of damage can be mistaken for trauma or other bone conditions, but its origin lies within the sinuses themselves. Have you ever heard of a mucocele causing this much damage? Let’s discuss! 👃🦴

Big news! The Bone Museum gift shop is now carrying Bone Clones replicas! Since we don’t sell real bones at the museum, we wanted to give you a chance to take home a piece of osteology history. These incredibly rare, museum-quality casts are identical to the original skulls in our collection—so now, you can own a scientifically accurate piece of what you see in our exhibits! In this video, we highlight one of Bone Clones’ most famous pieces: a skull with acromegaly. We compare it with our own gigantism skull at the museum, diving into the differences between the two conditions. Acromegaly develops after growth plates close, causing excessive bone growth in the face and hands, while gigantism occurs before growth plates close, leading to overall skeletal overgrowth. Oh, and because we had way too much fun filming this, we threw in some bloopers at the end—because why not? Stop by our gift shop to check out these amazing replicas for yourself! #BoneMuseum #BoneClones #Osteology #MuseumGifts #scienceiscool

Step into the extraordinary—rare medical specimens, a phantom skull, craniotomy skulls, leprosy, 300 clavicles, and more from The Bone Museum’s collection. Plus, a sneak peek at some incredible geckos at the gecko gallery opening this April next door!

When tumors leave their mark on bone: This skull shows optic glioma caused by NF1, where the tumor eroded through the eye socket and surrounding bone. Inspired by @official_wildbill41i We compare it to the bone destruction caused by sinonasal carcinoma—and explore how a person can live with the effects of such aggressive and destructive cancers.

Brand new piece at the Bone Museum! A modern take on a timeless classic, today we are taking a look at a sagittal preparation by @sickeart inspired by a vintage preparation of the same style done by Vasseur-Tramond in the 1800-1900’s