Keep Your Head! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Leg

The tibia, located in the leg, is the second longest bone in the human body. In fact, it is the most important weight-bearing bone in the lower leg; it supports approximately 80% of one's body weight while standing. It also helps to absorb the impact on the body caused when walking, jumping, or running.

Also called the shinbone, its name is derived from the Latin "tibia", meaning pipe or flute. It is a reference to the musical instruments like flutes that were made from animal tibias back in the day. Located between the knee and ankle, the tibia has a special healing property. If a small fracture occurs, it can naturally heal itself.

Answer: Leg

The fibula is a long, thin bone that is found next to the tibia. About fifteen inches long in adults, it connects to both the lateral malleolus, which is on the outside of the ankle, and the tibia. In fact, its name is derived from its relationship to the tibia; the two together look a bit like an ancient safety pin. That is why "fibula' is the Latin word for brooch, clasp, or pin.

Even though the fibula bone is quite thin, it is made up of cortical bone, which is a dense, hard tissue that provides stability and protection for many skeletal bones. Since the fibula is not a weight-bearing bone, it is commonly used for reconstructive surgery involving other regions in the body. It has been estimated that about 9.8 inches (25 cm), approximately 60% of the bone, can be used in this way without impairing a person's ability to walk.

Answer: Leg

The patella is a sesamoid bone, which means it is a bone that is embedded within a tendon or muscle. Located in the knee, the patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the human body, and is shaped like a triangle, protecting the muscles and tendons in the patella from experiencing too much strain. The word is derived from the Latin "patella", which means small dish or pan, as the bone has a bit of a convex shape that makes it look like a small pan.

Did you know that humans are not born with patellas? At birth, it is a small piece of cartilage and really doesn't develop into bone until the age of 3-6. And - some people have patellas that are formed in two pieces. This is called a bipartite patella, which is viewed as being a normal variation.

Answer: Head

The glabella is a forehead bone which is found between the eyebrows and above the nose. It is located in the area where frown lines or squinting lines tend to appear, which is why these lines are sometimes referred to as glabella lines. In fact, most of the muscles that are used to frown are found here. From the Latin "glabellus", the name means smooth or hairless.

It is interesting to note that a man's glabella is more prominent than a woman's. Knowing this may help anthropologists as they try to classify their findings. Also there is a glabellar or skin dehydration test that can be performed on the area. Gently pinch the skin and see if it snaps back or slowly returns to normal. A slow return may indicate moderate to severe dehydration; of course, this test doesn't work well on older adults whose skin has lost some of its elasticity.

Answer: Head

The mandible, or lower jawbone, is the strongest and largest bone in the human face, and is the only moveable bone in the skull - except for the small bones of the middle ear. Its name comes from the Latin "mandere", which means to chew.

Used for chewing, biting, and talking, the mandible is where the lower teeth are found, and is the only double hinged bone in the human body. The double hinge is what allows the jaw to work like hinges on a door, assisting in different chewing motions necessary to crush and grind food. It also houses the temporomandibular joints, or TMJ, which are found on both sides of the face, and connect the mandible to the skull.

Answer: Head

The maxilla, or upper jaw bone, is the central bone of the human face. It is important because not only does it help us chew food, it also helps us smile, speak, and use facial movements to express ourselves. "Māxilla" is derived from the Latin for jaw or jawbone.

Found right under the nose, at birth the maxilla is actually two separate pieces of cartilage that grow together and change into a bone as a person grows. It is fully developed by the time a person is fourteen years old.

Answer: Middle Ear

The malleus, also called the hammer, is the third of the auditory ossicles found in the middle ear. It is the largest of the middle ear bones, measuring about .315 inches (8 mm) in length, and connects to the tympanic membrane, or ear drum. "Malleus" means hammer in Latin and describes the shape of the bone perfectly.

Together the three auditory ossicles form a chain that allows for the passing of sound waves and also protects the inner ear from loud sounds. The auditory ossicles are fully grown at birth, a distinction that sets them apart from most of the other bones in the human body.

Answer: Middle Ear

The incus, also known as the anvil, is found in the middle ear, and really does resemble a blacksmith's anvil. In fact, "incus" is the Latin term for anvil. Located between the two other bones of the auditory ossicles, the incus is described as the bridge that allows for sounds to pass from the outer ear to the cochlea.

One of the three smallest bones in the human body, the incus is about .275 inches (7 mm) in size. Together it is said that the three bones are about the size of an orange seed and are so small that they can fit together on the surface area of a penny.

Answer: Middle Ear

Of the three auditory ossicles, the stapes is the smallest bone in the human body, with a size described as being similar to a grain of rice. Its name probably comes from the Latin "stapia", which means to stand. The bone looks almost exactly like a horseshoe, and today it is commonly called the stirrup.

The role of the stapes is to transmit vibrations to the inner ear. An intricate part of the hearing process, damage to the stapes can lead to a loss of hearing.

Answer: Foot

The talus, also called the ankle bone, is the only bone in the human body that is not attached to a muscle. That means that it has a limited blood supply, and breaking the talus could cause it to die from lack of blood. About 60% of the talus is covered with cartilage in order to allow for smooth movement at the ankle joint. It is important because it links the leg to the ankle. Latin for ankle or dice, "talus" bones from other animals were used to play dice; sometimes you may find the talus called the dice bone!

The talus is one of seven tarsal bones in the foot. Together they absorb shock and bear weight as humans move, which allows them to walk upright. That is why human tarsals are larger in comparison to other animals.

Answer: Foot

The cuboid bone is shaped like an irregular cube, having six distinct facets, and is found on the outer side of the mid foot. It supports the arch and helps with weight distribution. Derived from the Latin word "cubus", meaning cube, the bone really doesn't have an every day type of nickname, but it does have a more formal Latin name, "os cuboideum".

The seven rows of talus bones are arranged in two rows; the talus and calcaneus, also called the heel bone, form the proximal row. Forming the distal row are the navicular, cuboid, and three cuneiforms.

Answer: Foot

There are three cuneiform bones - the medial, which is the largest, the intermediate, which is the smallest, and the lateral; all are located in the mid foot, and help to stabilize the arch. Their name is from the Latin "cuneus", or wedge and "forma", or shape.

As the name implies, all are triangular in appearance. Their shape enables them to lock together in order to absorb shocks to the foot. In fact, this feature is what enables the foot to adjust to uneven terrain.