What is the study of bones called?

The study of bones is known as osteology. This branch of biology focuses specifically on the structure, function, and disorders of bones. Osteologists are specialists who study the skeletal system, which is crucial for understanding various aspects of human biology, physical anthropology, medicine, and forensic science.

Osteology encompasses various topics, including bone development, morphology, and pathology, making it an essential discipline within both health sciences and archaeological sciences for interpreting past cultures through skeletal remains. Understanding this field is particularly important in contexts such as identifying remains, understanding bone diseases, and studying human evolution.

The other fields mentioned serve different purposes: osteopathy involves a holistic approach to health care that emphasizes the body's musculoskeletal system; anatomy is the broader study of the body's structures and organs; and chiropractic focuses on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders, primarily through spinal manipulation. These distinctions highlight why osteology is the precise term used for the study of bones.