ABSTRACT
Form follows function. The morphology of skeletal elements may give important clues about how those elements were used in the animal’s life.
The sentences above describe what is arguably the most important point when differentiating between human and nonhuman bones. A skeleton that has evolved for flying will be lightweight while an animal that grazes will have heavier, more solid bones. Fish bones are often complex and translucent, while those of reptiles that continue to grow long into adulthood have secondary growth centers (epiphyses) that remain cartilaginous, allowing the primary center of bone growth (diaphysis) to expand throughout life.
