Did you know that babies have more bones than adults? Newborns can have between 275 and 300 bones. As they grow, some of these smaller bones merge, resulting in about 206 bones in most adults. This extra flexibility helps babies curl up in the womb and pass through the birth canal smoothly.
But what if adults have more than 206 bones? Some do! These extra bones are called accessory bones or supernumerary bones. They can appear when bones don’t fuse normally during development. A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that these accessory bones can happen in a significant number of people.
Interestingly, accessory bones often go unnoticed. “Many people are unaware they have one,” says Dr. Vandan Patel, an orthopedic surgeon. Usually, these bones are revealed during X-rays for other reasons. They might be mistaken for fractures or age-related changes.
Studies suggest that around 10% to 30% of people have these extra bones, though the real number might be higher. Some of the most common accessory bones are found in the foot and ankle. For instance, the os trigonum, present in 10% to 25% of the population, is located at the back of the ankle joint. It can cause discomfort, particularly for dancers or athletes.
Another notable example is the os tibiale externum, or accessory navicular, which occurs in about 12% of people. Found on the inner side of the foot, it can lead to pain in the arch area, often seen with flat-foot deformity.
On the rarer side, some individuals may have accessory ribs called cervical ribs. These can appear in about 1% of the population and are different from regular ribs in shape and position. They usually don’t cause issues, but in some cases, they can lead to arm pain or weakness. Treatment options include physical therapy or even surgery, as these ribs serve no essential purpose.
In summary, while most adults have 206 bones, many might carry hidden accessory bones that remain largely unnoticed. Awareness of these variations can help in understanding and addressing potential health concerns.
