Bone

Bone is a type of hard endoskeletal connective tissue found in many vertebrate animals. Bones support body structures, protect internal organs, and (in conjunction with muscles) facilitate movement; are also involved with cell formation, calcium metabolism, and mineral storage. The bones of an animal are, collectively, known as the skeleton. Bone has a different composition than cartilage, and both are derived from mesoderm. In common parlance, cartilage can also be called "bone", certainly when referring to animals that only have cartilage as hard connective tissue, such as cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes) like sharks. True bone is present in bony fish (Osteichthyes) and all tetrapods.

See also

• List of bones of the human skeleton
• Terms for anatomical location