Osteological Collection

Fractured ankle, X-ray
Fractured ankle. Coloured profile X-ray of a distal fibula fracture (upper centre). The fibula is the smaller leg bone running down from top centre. The larger bone is the tibia

Osteocyte bone cell, SEM C016 / 9025
Osteocyte bone cell. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an osteocyte bone cell (blue) surrounded by bone tissue (pink)

Osteological room in College of Surgeons 1880s
Osteological room in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, London. Date: 1880s

Normal legs, X-rays
Normal legs. Coloured frontal X-rays of the healthy legs, of a 35-year-old

Osteocyte bone cell, SEM C016 / 9026
Osteocyte bone cell. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an osteocyte bone cell (red) surrounded by bone tissue (grey)

Paprosky femur defect classification C016 / 6621
Paprosky femur defect classification. Diagram showing the classification system for femur cortex defects used to assess revision (replacement or repair) of a hip implant

Bone tissue. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of cancellous (spongy) bone. Bone tissue can be either cortical (compact) or cancellous

Fractured foot, coloured X-ray
Fractured foot. Coloured X-rays of a fractured fifth metatarsal (to the right of each image). The fracture is seen as a small black crack

Osteological Gallery. 5th July 1892
Photograph of the Osteological Gallery. 5th July 1892. Archive ref: PH/173/2 Date: 1892

Melorheostosis of the knee, X-ray C017 / 7146
Melorheostosis of the knee. X-ray of left knee of a 52 year old male patient showing damage (white area at centre) caused by melorheostosis

Melorheostosis of the knee, X-ray C017 / 7145
Melorheostosis of the knee. X-ray of left knee of a 52 year old male patient showing damage (white area to bottom left of knee cap) caused by melorheostosis

Melorheostosis of the knee, X-ray C017 / 7144
Melorheostosis of the knee. X-ray of left knee of a 52 year old male patient showing damage (white area to bottom left of knee cap) caused by melorheostosis

Normal knees, X-rays
Normal knees. Coloured frontal X-rays of the healthy knees of a 35-year-old

Gorhams disease, 3D CT scan
Gorhams disease. Coloured 3D computed tomography (CT) scan of the rear of the skull of a 47-year-old patient, showing damage (centre) caused by osteolysis (bone resorption and replacement)

Thickened skull, MRI scan
Thickened skull. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of an axial section through the head of a 22-year-old patient, showing thickening of the trabecular (spongy) bone of the skull

Gorhams disease, CT scans
Gorhams disease. Coloured 3D (left) and 2D (right) computed tomography (CT) scans of the skull of a 47-year-old patient, showing damage (centre) caused by osteolysis (bone resorption and replacement)

Total knee replacement, X-ray
Total knee replacement. X-ray of the legs of a 49-year-old patient who has had a total knee replacement (white) of the left knee (right)

Bone structure, artwork C016 / 7504
Bone structure. Computer artwork showing bone trabeculae. Trabeculae are the bars of bone that form a honeycombed hollow network, and make up the structure of spongy bone, the inner layer of a bone

Prosthetic hip joint and Gruen zones C016 / 6778
Prosthetic hip joint and Gruen zones. Cutaway diagram of a femur (thigh bone) showing a femoral component of a hip prosthesis and labels indicating Gruen zones

Prosthetic hip joints and Gruen zones C016 / 6781
Prosthetic hip joints and Gruen zones. Diagram of the femoral components of two types of hip prosthesis with labels indicating standard and modified Gruen zones

Prosthetic hip joint, artwork C016 / 6782
Prosthetic hip joint. Cutaway artwork of a femur (thigh bone) showing a femoral component of a hip prosthesis. This component is implanted in the femur after the head of the femur has been surgically

Hip socket bone grafting, diagram C016 / 6786
Hip socket bone grafting. Diagram showing completed hip socket bone grafting as part of a total hip replacement operation

Hip socket bone grafting, diagram C016 / 6784
Hip socket bone grafting. Diagram showing the second stage in hip socket bone grafting as part of a total hip replacement operation

Broken finger bone, SEM C016 / 9027
Broken finger bone. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) showing the internal structure of a broken finger bone (phalanx)

Hip socket bone grafting, diagram C016 / 6785
Hip socket bone grafting. Diagram showing the third stage in hip socket bone grafting as part of a total hip replacement operation

Hip socket bone grafting, diagram C016 / 6783
Hip socket bone grafting. Diagram showing the first stage in hip socket bone grafting as part of a total hip replacement operation

Human bone structure, artwork C016 / 7494
Human bone structure. Computer artwork showing all the different parts that make up a human bone, including the bone marrow (bottom left) where blood cells (round, white and red) are formed

Prosthetic hip joint, diagram C016 / 6775
Prosthetic hip joint. Cutaway diagram of a femur (thigh bone) showing a femoral component of a hip prosthesis. This component is implanted in the femur after the head of the femur has been surgically

Prosthetic hip joint and Gruen zones C016 / 6777
Prosthetic hip joint and Gruen zones. Cutaway diagram of a femur (thigh bone) showing a femoral component of a hip prosthesis and labels indicating Gruen zones

Prosthetic hip joint and Gruen zones C016 / 6780
Prosthetic hip joint and Gruen zones. Diagram of the femoral component of a hip prosthesis with labels indicating the hip connection (upper left) and the seven Gruen zones

Prosthetic hip joint and Gruen zones C016 / 6776
Prosthetic hip joint and Gruen zones. Cutaway diagram of a femur (thigh bone) showing a femoral component of a hip prosthesis and labels indicating Gruen zones

Prosthetic hip joint and Gruen zones C016 / 6779
Prosthetic hip joint and Gruen zones. Cutaway diagram of a femur (thigh bone) showing a femoral component of a hip prosthesis and labels indicating Gruen zones

Bones of the human body, artwork C016 / 7493
Bones of the human body, computer artwork

Paprosky femur defect, type IIIA lateral
Paprosky femur defect. Cutaway artwork of bone degradation in a type IV medial-lateral femur cortex defect (Paprosky classification system)

Paprosky femur defect, type IIIA med-lat
Paprosky femur defect. Cutaway artwork of bone degradation in a type IV lateral femur cortex defect (Paprosky classification system)

Backbone fat deposition C015 / 6053
Backbone fat deposition. Sectioned gross clinical specimen of a vertebra (spinal bone) that displays adiposis (fat deposition, yellow) in the medullary (inner) region

Bone cancer cell, SEM
Bone cancer cell. Coloured scanning electron micrograph of a fibrosarcoma (fibroblastic sarcoma) cell, showing the numerous filopodia (hair-like) covering its surface

Bone structure, artwork C016 / 7545
Bone structure. Computer artwork showing bone trabeculae. Trabeculae are the bars of bone that form a honeycombed hollow network, and make up the structure of spongy bone, the inner layer of a bone

Bone resorption. Computer artwork of an osteoclast (green, bone-removing cell) destroying a piece of bone. This process, known as bone resorption

Human spine. Model of the human backbone or spine. The spine is a flexible column of small compact bones called vertebrae

Bone anatomy. Computer artwork showing the anatomy of a normal bone shaft. An outer layer of compact bone is made up of cylindrical units (osteons, black stripes)

Bone structural unit. Computer artwork of an osteon, the basic structural unit of compact bone. Compact bone is the outer layer of a bone shaft, and contains numerous osteons

Lung infection. Coloured chest X-ray of a patient with sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited blood disorder. SCD has many symptoms including pulmonary complications

Pinned ankle fracture, coloured X-ray
Pinned ankle fracture. Coloured X-ray of the ankle bones of a patient with a pinned ankle fracture. The malleolus (bony projection at the end of a bone) of the fibula (right)

Potts disease. Coloured X-ray of the spine of a patient with Potts disease, or tuberculosis (TB) of the spine. The vertebrae (brown blocks) have become compacted and inflamed (red, yellow)

Healthy skull, coloured X-ray
Healthy human skull. Side view X-ray showing the skull and the outline of the head (black). The bones of the cranium are fused together to form a complete structure that protects the brain

Arthritic joint. Conceptual image of an arthritic joint (red and white) surrounded by healthy joints (white). The healthy joints have smooth, well- defined edges

Arthritic elbow, X-ray

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"Exploring the Intricacies of Osteology: From Fractured Ankles to Rare Bone Disorders" Step into the world of osteology, where bones reveal their secrets through various hints and images. In a dimly lit room at the College of Surgeons in the 1880s, anatomists meticulously studied fractured ankles captured on X-rays. These haunting images offered glimpses into the intricate structure of our skeletal system. Zooming in further, we encounter osteocyte bone cells under an electron microscope (SEM C016 / 9025). These tiny warriors play a vital role in maintaining bone health and repair. Fast forward to July 5th, 1892, when an awe-inspiring Osteological Gallery opened its doors. Visitors marveled at displays showcasing normal legs captured by X-rays - a testament to the marvels hidden beneath our skin. Delving deeper into cellular wonders, another SEM image (C016 / 9026) reveals more about osteocytes' microscopic world. Their interconnected network ensures strength and resilience within our bones. But not all is smooth sailing; challenges arise like Paprosky femur defect classification (C016 / 6621), which helps surgeons navigate complex bone issues with precision and expertise. The enigmatic Melorheostosis makes its appearance through X-ray images (C017 / 7146-7144). This rare condition causes abnormal growth patterns within bones, posing unique diagnostic challenges for medical professionals. Returning to normalcy, we witness yet again how X-rays shed light on healthy knees - providing baseline comparisons for diagnosing ailments that affect this crucial joint's functionality. Lastly, Gorham's disease takes center stage as a three-dimensional CT scan unravels its mysteries. This rare disorder leads to progressive loss of bone tissue and serves as a reminder of nature's unpredictability. Osteological studies offer us profound insights into our skeletal framework – from fractures to rare conditions.