The Most Difficult Bone in the Body to Break, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the bone you think is the most difficult!

Updated on May 5, 2024 06:23

Determining which bone in the human body is the most resilient to fractures is not just a matter of curiosity but also of practical importance. Medical professionals and patients alike benefit from understanding the strengths and vulnerabilities of our skeletal structure. This knowledge can influence treatment methods after accidents or help in the design of sports gear that better protects athletes. By participating in this poll, you contribute to a collective understanding that could impact preventive health measures and safety equipment innovation. Every vote cast in this ranking offers a clearer picture of common perceptions and experiences with bone resilience, guiding future educational and research endeavors.

What Is the Most Difficult Bone in the Body to Break?

1

83
votes
Femur

The femur is the largest and strongest bone in the human body, making it very difficult to break. It is located in the thigh and serves as a weight-bearing bone.
The femur is the long bone located in the thigh of humans and other vertebrates. It is the largest and strongest bone in the human body, playing a crucial role in supporting the weight of the body, as well as providing attachment points for muscles.

Length: Approximately 26.7 inches (68 cm) on average in adult males

Weight: Around 1.5 pounds (680 grams) in adult humans

Composition: Primarily made up of compact bone in the shaft and cancellous bone at the ends

Blood supply: Supplied by multiple arteries, including the femoral artery

Joints: Forms the hip joint with the pelvis and the knee joint with the tibia and patella
2

32
votes
Tibia

The tibia, also known as the shinbone, is the second largest bone in the human body and is responsible for supporting most of the body's weight. It is very sturdy and difficult to break.
The tibia is the larger and stronger of the two bones located in the lower leg. It is also commonly known as the shinbone. The tibia plays a crucial role in supporting the body's weight and providing stability during movement. It forms part of the knee joint and connects to the fibula, another bone in the lower leg.

Length: Approximately 34 cm in adults

Weight-bearing capacity: Can withstand significant forces during walking, running, and jumping

Shape: Long and straight bone with a slightly curved design

Structure: Composed of cortical (dense) bone surrounding spongy bone in its interior

Proximity to other bones: Located between the foot and the knee, connected to the fibula and the patella
3

28
votes
Humerus

The humerus is the long bone in the upper arm that connects the shoulder to the elbow. It is also a weight-bearing bone and is very difficult to break due to its size and strength.
The humerus is the long bone located in the upper arm. It extends from the shoulder joint to the elbow joint and is responsible for various arm movements and interactions with the surrounding bones and muscles.

Length: Approximately 33.5 centimeters in adults

Weight: Around 440 grams in adults

Shape: Long, cylindrical bone with two ends

Structure: Consists of a proximal end, diaphysis (shaft), and a distal end

Attachments: Provides attachment sites for many muscles, including the deltoid, biceps, and triceps
4

14
votes
Pelvis

The pelvis is a complex structure of bones that connects the spine to the lower limbs. It is responsible for supporting the weight of the upper body and is very difficult to break due to its shape and size.
The pelvis is a bowl-shaped structure located at the lower end of the spine. It consists of several bones, including the two hip bones, the sacrum, and the coccyx. The pelvis forms the foundation of the spine and supports the weight of the upper body. It also protects the reproductive organs, bladder, and part of the digestive system.

Shape: Bowl-shaped

Bones: Made up of two hip bones, the sacrum, and the coccyx

Function: Supports the weight of the upper body and provides protection to internal organs

Weight-bearing: Bears and distributes the body's weight when standing or sitting

Joint connections: Articulates with the spine, hips, and femurs
5

15
votes
Skull

The skull is made up of several bones that protect the brain and sensory organs. It is very strong and difficult to break due to its thickness and shape.
The skull is a complex bone structure that forms the protective enclosure for the brain and sensory organs. It consists of two main parts: the cranium, which encloses and protects the brain, and the facial skeleton, which supports the facial structures.

Composition: The skull is primarily composed of strong and dense bone tissue, known as cranial bones.

Protection: It provides a sturdy protective layer around the brain, shielding it from potential injuries.

Stability: The skull offers structural stability, supporting the shape and alignment of the head.

Sutures: The skull bones are connected by fibrous joints called sutures, which provide flexibility during childbirth and allow for gradual growth and development in infancy and childhood.

Cranial Vault: The cranium forms a vault-like structure that houses the brain, protecting it from external forces.
6

18
votes
Spine

The spine is made up of 33 vertebrae that protect the spinal cord and support the body's weight. It is very difficult to break due to its strength and flexibility.
The spine, also known as the vertebral column, is the central support structure of the human body. It is made up of individual bones called vertebrae that are stacked on top of each other. The spine is a strong yet flexible structure that protects the spinal cord and provides stability and mobility to the body.

Number of Vertebrae: There are usually 33 vertebrae in the human spine, consisting of 7 cervical vertebrae in the neck, 12 thoracic vertebrae in the mid-back region, 5 lumbar vertebrae in the lower back, 5 fused sacral vertebrae, and 4 fused coccygeal vertebrae.

Curvatures: The spine has natural curvatures to distribute and absorb forces, including cervical lordosis (concave curve in the neck), thoracic kyphosis (convex curve in the upper back), lumbar lordosis (concave curve in the lower back), and sacral kyphosis (convex curve in the sacrum).

Intervertebral Discs: Between each vertebra, there are intervertebral discs made of cartilage that act as shock absorbers and provide cushioning between the bones.

Spinal Cord Protection: The spine protects the delicate spinal cord, which is a bundle of nerves that sends and receives signals between the brain and the body.

Mobility: The spine allows for various movements, including flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral bending, providing flexibility and range of motion.
7

8
votes
Scapula

The scapula, also known as the shoulder blade, is a flat bone that connects the upper arm bone to the collarbone. It is very difficult to break due to its shape and location.
The scapula, commonly known as the shoulder blade, is a flat triangular-shaped bone located in the upper back. It is surrounded by muscles and serves as an attachment point for various muscles involved in shoulder movement.

Structure: Consists of a body, superior and inferior angles, acromion process, coracoid process, spine, and fossae.

Location: Located in the upper back, between the second and seventh ribs.

Shape: Triangular and flat.

Articulations: Forms joints with the clavicle (collarbone) and humerus (upper arm bone).

Size: Varies in width, typically measuring 3.9 to 6.7 inches (10 to 17 cm).
8

8
votes
Radius

The radius is one of the two bones in the forearm that connect the elbow to the wrist. It is very difficult to break due to its size and strength.
The radius is one of the bones in the human skeleton, specifically in the forearm. It is a long and slender bone that runs parallel to the ulna bone. The radius bone plays a crucial role in the movement and flexibility of the forearm and hand.

Length: Approximately 25 cm in males and slightly shorter in females

Shape: Long and curved bone, resembling the shape of a spindle

Location: Located on the lateral (thumb) side of the forearm, running from the elbow to the wrist

Joints: Articulates with the humerus bone in the elbow joint and forms a pivot joint with the ulna bone near the wrist

Connectivity: Connected to several muscles, including the biceps and triceps brachii, which aid in forearm movement
9

6
votes
Ulna

The ulna is the other bone in the forearm that connects the elbow to the wrist. It is also very difficult to break due to its size and strength.
The ulna is one of the two long bones in the forearm, alongside the radius. It is located on the medial side (pinky finger side) of the forearm and runs parallel to the radius. The ulna plays a fundamental role in forearm stability, providing support and enabling forearm rotation.

Location: Medial side of the forearm

Length: Approximately 26 centimeters in adults

Shape: Long bone with a thinner shaft and expanded ends

Joints involved: Elbow joint (proximal end) and wrist joint (distal end)

Articulation with radius: Forms the distal radioulnar joint and proximal radioulnar joint
10

5
votes
Clavicle

The clavicle, also known as the collarbone, is a long bone that connects the sternum to the shoulder blade. It is very difficult to break due to its shape and location.
The clavicle, also known as the collarbone, is a long and slender bone that connects the shoulder to the chest. It is one of the most difficult bones in the body to break.

Length: Between 13-15 cm in adults

Shape: S-shaped

Location: Found on each side of the upper thorax, connecting the sternum to the scapula

Function: Provides support and stability to the shoulder joint, allowing for arm movement and protecting vital structures underneath

Composition: Made of compact bone in the middle with cancellous bone at the ends

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Ranking factors for difficult bone

Bone structure

Bones that have unique or complex structures can distribute stress in a way that makes them more resistant to breaking. An example is the skull, which has multiple fused bones that help protect the brain from injury.
Load-bearing capacity

Bones that are designed to support the body's weight, such as the femur, tibia, and spine, tend to be stronger and more resistant to fractures.
Surface area

Smaller bones that have a larger surface area relative to their size may be more difficult to break due to better distribution of force over the bone's surface.
Bone composition

The ratio of compact to spongy bone can influence a bone's ability to withstand breaking. Compact bone is denser and less prone to bending and breaking, while spongy bone is more flexible and can absorb more force.
Age and health

As we age, our bones tend to lose density and become more prone to fractures. Additionally, certain medical conditions, such as osteoporosis or other bone diseases, can weaken the bones, making them more susceptible to breaks.
Rate and direction of force

A sudden, high-impact force is more likely to break a bone than a slow, steady pressure. Additionally, bones are more likely to break when the force is applied in a way that they are not designed to handle – for example, twisting or bending force on a bone that is more suited to support compressive forces.
Muscle and soft tissue support

Surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments can help absorb force and stabilize bones, making them less likely to break.
Genetic factors

Hereditary factors can influence bone strength and susceptibility to fractures. Some people may have naturally stronger bones due to genetic factors, while others may be more prone to breaks.
Presence of existing fractures or stress

Bones that have previously been fractured or repeatedly stressed may be more vulnerable to breaking due to weakened structures and compromised integrity.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult bone in the body to break. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or bone is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2809 views
218 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each bone once every 24 hours. The rank of each bone is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most difficult bone in the body to break

The human body is made up of 206 bones, each serving a unique function in allowing us to move, support our weight and protect vital organs. However, some bones are more durable than others and are more difficult to break. When it comes to the most difficult bone to break, there are a few contenders. While some may assume that the skull or spine would be the most difficult to fracture, the reality is that the femur, or thigh bone, is actually the strongest bone in the human body. Its cylindrical shape and dense, compact structure make it incredibly resistant to breaks and fractures, even under extreme pressure. Breaking the femur typically requires a significant amount of force, such as a car accident or a fall from a great height. Despite its strength, however, it is still important to take care of this vital bone and protect it from injury.