Studies in the Medicine of Ancient India, Part I: Osteology, or the Bones of the Human Body c6.s2.t6.18

c6.s2.t6.18

‘The professors of General Medicine speak of three hundred and sixty bones; but books on Surgical Science know only of three hundred. Of these there are one hundred and six in the extremities; one hundred and twenty-eight in the pelvic cavity, sides, back, *shoulder*, and breast; and from the neck upwards, *sixty-six*. In this wise the total of the three hundred bones is made up. Now in each toe of the foot there are three bones; this makes altogether fifteen. Those bones which constitute the sole, cluster, and ankle are *seven*. In the heel there is one; there is also one in the thigh. Thus there are twenty-seven bones in one lower limb. The same count applies to the other lower limb, and similarly to the two upper limbs. In the pelvic cavity there are five bones. Of these there are four in the anus, pubes, and hips; and the fifth constitutes the triangular sacrum. There are thirty-six bones in one side, and as many in the other. In the back there are thirty; seventeen in the breast; two each in the *collar-bone* and *shoulder-blades*; nine in the neck; four in the windpipe, and two in the jaws. The teeth number thirty-two. In the nose there are three bones; two in the palate; one each in either cheek, *eye*, ear, and temple; and six in the cranium.’ (Original Text in § 89.)