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

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 fully fused human spine, a tibia with an amputation, Gordon (a fan-favorite fetal skeleton purchased from a doctor at NYU), a femur with gigantism, 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. #bonetok #humanbone #osteology

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 rare adult mandible showing a full set of teeth, a newly acquired exploded skull, and an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at our Research Facility. These, alongside many 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.

Every bone tells a story — from rare pathologies to remarkable anomalies, our specimens help illuminate the complexities of the human body like never before. This week, we’re proud to feature a Maison Tramond wax model, a newly commissioned custom exploded skull, and a surprise cameo with our friends at the wonderfully eccentric Silly Goose @Silly Goose in Jim Thorpe — thanks for having us! Discover the extraordinary at 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 showcases some of our most compelling new acquisitions: a rare child skeleton, a femur with a severe malunion break, a massive osteoma, and an original Maison Tramond maxilla preparation dating back over a century. Each piece offers a powerful glimpse into the complexities of the human body and the stories bones can tell.

This femur broke clean in half—and healed like that. In today’s video, we’re diving into one of the most serious fractures the human body can endure: a complete femur break. We’ll talk about why femur fractures are so dangerous, how they’re normally treated with modern medicine, and why this one might have healed without intervention. From trauma to biology, this bone has a lot to say.

What causes someone to grow over 7 feet tall?🦴 In this video, we break down the difference between gigantism and acromegaly, two conditions caused by excess growth hormone—but at very different stages of life. From pituitary tumors to skeletal changes, discover how timing makes all the difference in how these conditions shape the human body.

Why would someone have part of their skull removed? Craniotomies are surgical openings in the skull—often done to access the brain for tumor removal, relieve pressure, or treat trauma. In this video, we show what a craniotomy looks like on real bone

What does polio do to your bones?🦴 In this video, we take a close look at a femur affected by paralytic polio—thin, twisted, and warped from years of disuse. Learn how this once-common virus reshaped the skeleton. #polio

This skeleton on display at The Bone Museum reveals the extreme effects of tight-lacing—a 19th-century fashion trend where corsets were worn so tightly, they reshaped the body itself. Notice the dramatically narrowed ribcage: the lower ribs have been pulled inward, likely a result of years of excessive corset use. Tight-lacing didn’t just alter appearance—it compressed internal organs, reduced lung capacity, weakened core muscles, and even shifted the position of the stomach and liver. While corsets were once a symbol of elegance and refinement, the toll they took on the body was anything but graceful. #corset #bonetok

What does syphilis do to your bones? In its tertiary stage, syphilis can leave behind unmistakable marks—especially on the skull and femur. From caries sicca (pitting and scarring of the skull) to periosteal irritation, this bacterial infection doesn’t just attack soft tissue—it reshapes bone. Let’s break down the bony aftermath. #bonetok #syphilis #infection

At the Bone Museum, we rarely get to know the full story behind the bones we care for—but this time, we do. It’s an incredible honor to display Johnny’s leg and help share his journey living with a long-term condition: club foot. His story is a powerful reminder that surgery isn’t always a miracle cure, and that chronic conditions can leave lasting impacts. We’re proud to help raise awareness through this piece—and even prouder to introduce you to Johnny himself. Stay tuned to learn more. (Quick side note: Skulls Unlimited doesn’t clean entire skeletons for the public, but they do clean parts—such as legs, knees, and other individual bones—just not whole skeletons.)

Meet Gordon, our 32-week-old fetal skeleton. In this video, we explore the causes and clues behind late-term fetal demise—what can go wrong in the final stretch of pregnancy, and how those stories can still be told through bone. Gordon help us understand prenatal development, medical history, and the fragility of life before birth.

What happens when the brain never fully forms? Anencephaly is a rare and severe neural tube defect where major portions of the brain, skull, and scalp fail to develop during early pregnancy. In this video, we break down how this condition occurs, and what it looks like in bone. We explore how anencephaly leaves a distinct and sobering mark on the skeleton—and what those remains can teach us about early development gone awry. #bonetok #humanbones

What causes bones to break so easily—sometimes before birth? In this video, we break down osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a genetic disorder that disrupts the body’s ability to make strong collagen. From Type I to Type VIII, we explore how each type of OI affects the body differently, what gene mutations are responsible, and why some forms are more severe than others. Whether it’s mild bone fragility or life-threatening skeletal deformities, this video explains how a single protein can make all the difference.

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.

When bones break… they’re supposed to heal. But what happens when they don’t? 👀 This femur never fused back together—what you’re looking at is a non-union fracture. In this video, we’ll show you how it looks on real bone, why some fractures refuse to heal, and what that means for the person living with it.

Did you know your bones are full of hidden architecture? 🦴 In this video, we take a close-up look at trabeculae—the delicate, lattice-like structures inside spongy bone. These tiny struts may look fragile, but they’re engineering powerhouses, built to absorb shock, bear weight, and adapt to stress. From the femur to the vertebrae, trabeculae help keep your skeleton strong and smart—constantly remodeling in response to your movements. Join us as we dive into the fascinating structure and function of this internal scaffolding!

Why do some skeletons look bleached white while others are deep brown or amber? In this video, we break down the world of skeletal patinas—how bones get their color, what it says about their history, and how cleaning, handling, and preservation methods all play a role. From soil-stained to shellacked, bone color tells a story—and it’s not about race.