The Skeletal System

- The largest bone is the pelvis, or hip bone. In fact it is made of six bones joined firmly together.

- The longest bone is the 'femur', in the thigh. It makes up almost one quarter of the body's total height.

- The smallest bone is the 'stirrup', deep in the ear. It is hardly larger than a grain of rice.

- The ears and end of the nose do not have bones inside them. Their inner supports are cartilage or 'gristle', which is lighter and more flexible than bone. This is why the nose and ears can be bent.

- After death, cartilage rots faster than bone. This is why the skulls of skeletons have no nose or ears.