and the coccyx behind. The pelvis acts as a tough ring of protection around parts of the digestive system, parts of the urinary system and parts of the reproductive system. Your leg bones are very large and strong in order to help support the weight of your body. The bone that goes from your pelvis to your knee is called the femur (say: fee-mur), and it is the longest bone in your body. At the knee, a triangular-shaped bone called the (say: puh-tel-luh), or kneecap, patella protects the knee joint. Below the knee are two other leg bones: the tibia (say: tih-bee-uh) and the fibula (say: fih-byuh-luh). Like the three bones in the arm, the three leg bones are wider at the ends than in the middle, which gives them strength. Taking Care of Your bones help you out every day so make sure you take care of them. Here are some tips: Protect your bones (and your brain inside!) by wearing a helmet for bike riding and other sports. When you use a skateboard, skates or a scooter, be sure to add wrist supports and elbow and knee pads. If you have a crash, you will be glad your bones were protected! If you play sports like football, soccer, lacrosse or ice hockey, always wear all the right equipment. And never play on a trampoline. Many kids end up with broken bones from jumping on them. Broken bones can eventually heal, but it takes a long time and is not much fun while you wait. Strengthen your skeleton by drinking milk and eating other dairy products (like cheese and yogurt). They all contain calcium, which helps bones harden and become strong. Be active! Another way to strengthen your bones is through exercise like running, jumping, dancing, and playing sports. Source: KidsHealth from Nemours at
and the coccyx behind. The pelvis acts as a tough ring of protection around parts of the digestive system, parts of the urinary system and parts of the reproductive system. Your leg bones are very large and strong in order to help support the weight of your body. The bone that goes from your pelvis to your knee is called the femur (say: fee-mur), and it is the longest bone in your body. At the knee, a triangular-shaped bone called the patella (say: puh-tel-luh), or kneecap, protects the knee joint. Below the knee are two other leg bones: the tibia (say: tih-bee-uh) and the fibula (say: fih-byuh-luh). Like the three bones in the arm, the three leg bones are wider at the ends than in the middle, which gives them strength. Taking Care of Your bones help you out every day so make sure you take care of them. Here are some tips: Protect your bones (and your brain inside!) by wearing a helmet for bike riding and other sports. When you use a skateboard, skates or a scooter, be sure to add wrist supports and elbow and knee pads. If you have a crash, you will be glad your bones were protected! If you play sports like football, soccer, lacrosse or ice hockey, always wear all the right equipment. And never play on a trampoline. Many kids end up with broken bones from jumping on them. Broken bones can eventually heal, but it takes a long time and is not much fun while you wait. Strengthen your skeleton by drinking milk and eating other dairy products (like cheese and yogurt). They all contain calcium, which helps bones harden and become strong. Be active! Another way to strengthen your bones is through exercise like running, jumping, dancing, and playing sports. Source: KidsHealth from Nemours at