The Bone Museum

Rare Finds at The Bone Museum This week, we’re highlighting some of the most striking specimens in our collection: a child’s skeleton preserved in full, a torso with extreme scoliosis, and a femur fracture with nearly 5 inches of displacement. Each piece tells a story of resilience, pathology, and the complexity of the human body. Come see what makes The Bone Museum one of the most unique collections in the world. #bonetok #osteology #skull

Every bone tells a story — from rare pathologies to remarkable anomalies, our specimens help illuminate the complexities of the human body like never before. This week, we’re proud to feature a Maison Tramond wax model, a newly commissioned custom exploded skull, and a surprise cameo with our friends at the wonderfully eccentric Silly Goose @Silly Goose in Jim Thorpe — thanks for having us! Discover the extraordinary at The Bone Museum.

After Two Years in the Making… On April 12 at 7PM, The Bone Museum invites you to witness something truly extraordinary. We’ve commissioned renowned anatomical artist Matt Hall to create a one-of-a-kind pediatric exploded skull—a piece that took over two years to meticulously build by hand. This isn’t just an exhibit—it’s a rare moment in medical art history. For one night only, Matt will be joining us in person to unveil his work and speak on the artistic and anatomical challenges of creating this intricate piece. Admission is $20 at the door. The event will last approximately one hour and includes the exclusive artist talk. Be part of the unveiling. Be part of the story. The Bone Museum April 12, 7PM $20 General Admission (at the door)

Finally answering the most important question ever asked at The Bone Museum: What do spines sound like when you shake them? Thank you @Jakob Portrait for the insightful interview—and for entertaining our bone-deep curiosity.

What does syphilis do to your bones? In its tertiary stage, syphilis can leave behind unmistakable marks—especially on the skull and femur. From caries sicca (pitting and scarring of the skull) to periosteal irritation, this bacterial infection doesn’t just attack soft tissue—it reshapes bone. Let’s break down the bony aftermath. #bonetok #syphilis #infection

This skeleton on display at The Bone Museum reveals the extreme effects of tight-lacing—a 19th-century fashion trend where corsets were worn so tightly, they reshaped the body itself. Notice the dramatically narrowed ribcage: the lower ribs have been pulled inward, likely a result of years of excessive corset use. Tight-lacing didn’t just alter appearance—it compressed internal organs, reduced lung capacity, weakened core muscles, and even shifted the position of the stomach and liver. While corsets were once a symbol of elegance and refinement, the toll they took on the body was anything but graceful. #corset #bonetok

Explore the latest Bouchene skull, now on display at the Bone Museum. Handcrafted over two years, let’s take a closer look at the intersection between science and art. #bonetok

Why do some skeletons look bleached white while others are deep brown or amber? In this video, we break down the world of skeletal patinas—how bones get their color, what it says about their history, and how cleaning, handling, and preservation methods all play a role. From soil-stained to shellacked, bone color tells a story—and it’s not about race.

Behind the scenes at The Bone Museum: this rib segment just arrived, and we’re deep in the process of diagnosing it. Is it metastatic cancer? A remnant of thoracoplasty for tuberculosis? Or trauma from an unknown injury? Follow along as we investigate the clues locked in the bone.

Exploring The Bone Museum 🦴 A huge thank you to @jakobportrait 🎨 and @laras_brain_juice 🧠 for spending the day with us and capturing the space so beautifully. Your creativity brought the museum to life in the coolest way!

Maison Tramond Spine Model (c. 19th Century) On display now is one of the rarest and most historically significant pieces ever unveiled at The Bone Museum—an original 19th-century Maison Tramond spine model. Revered by collectors and institutions alike, Maison Tramond was one of the most prestigious medical model makers in Europe, known for producing detailed anatomical teaching aids for surgeons and medical schools. This exceptional specimen contains a real human spine and skull embedded within a wax anatomical model, showcasing an extraordinary blend of anatomical accuracy and craftsmanship. Created in an era before modern plastination, these wax models were used to teach anatomy in vivid, lifelike detail, preserving both educational and historical value. This piece not only honors the legacy of early medical education but also serves as a testament to the intersection of science, art, and human history.

Nothing unusual to see here. Happy April 1st.

From skulls to vertebrae—learn how to say your bones in Russian! Join us as we explore the human skeleton, one word at a time, and see how anatomy sounds on the other side of the world.

What happens when the brain never fully forms? Anencephaly is a rare and severe neural tube defect where major portions of the brain, skull, and scalp fail to develop during early pregnancy. In this video, we break down how this condition occurs, and what it looks like in bone. We explore how anencephaly leaves a distinct and sobering mark on the skeleton—and what those remains can teach us about early development gone awry. #bonetok #humanbones

Step into a realm where history and science converge at the Bone Museum, located in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. Our latest video invites you to explore a rare medical preparation showcasing the full anatomy of the face, examine the devastating effects of syphilitic disease on bone, marvel at the immense proportions of a skull affected by gigantism, and uncover the mysteries behind unusual bone tumors. Dive into the extraordinary stories preserved within our collection. #osteology #thebonemuseum #bonemuseum #forensicscience #nycevents

is the bone museum spooky? A. nah B. SPOOKY Thank you you too @jakobportrait for coming down and asking great questions💀

Chinese foot binding was a historical practice that began during the Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD) and continued into the early 20th century. It involved tightly binding the feet of young girls, typically between the ages of 4 and 9, to prevent normal growth and force the feet into a small, arched shape. The resulting “lotus foot,” ideally only 3 to 4 inches long, was considered a symbol of beauty, femininity, and social status. The process was excruciatingly painful—requiring the toes to be broken and folded under the sole—and often led to infections, lifelong deformities, and limited mobility. Bound feet increased a woman’s marriage prospects, especially among elite families, where small feet were seen as markers of refinement and higher class. Over time, the practice spread to lower social classes as well, with many families participating in hopes of upward mobility. Although foot binding reflected deep cultural ideals of beauty and virtue, it also served as a means of controlling women, reinforcing patriarchal structures by limiting their freedom and autonomy. The practice began to decline in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, influenced by Western criticism, internal reform movements, and growing advocacy for women’s rights. It was officially banned in 1912, though it persisted in some rural areas for years afterward. Today, foot binding is remembered as a powerful example of historical gender oppression and the extreme consequences of culturally imposed beauty standards.

What did Viking skulls hide behind their fierce reputation? CT scans are revealing a different kind of battle: dental disease, bone growths, and painful tooth abscesses. Through cutting-edge imaging, we’re uncovering the everyday health struggles Vikings faced — one tooth at a time.

Those easy strike matches? They came at a horrifying cost. Workers, mostly young women, handled white phosphorus daily—without knowing it was eating away at their bones. ‘Phossy jaw’ caused the jawbone to glow, decay, and eventually die, all from toxic exposure. Let’s look at how something as simple as a match led to one of the most gruesome bone diseases in history. #bonetok #bonemuseum

Some lovers try positions that they can’t handle: or the bones in the human hand. Let’s break down the 27 bones that give you the ability to grip, wave and gesture! #hand #anatomy #bonetok