Bifurcated Human Bone?

[batsh]

I am a new studen of A & P and I being study for my homeworks,but there are some tricky question or may be a mistake.

I made a research about bifurcated bone in my book,in a medical dictionary and in the internet,but nothing apear like this.I think that is a mistake in the question,so please help me to make this clear!!

In human,both the bones of the forearm and legs are bifurcated.This is not the case of the horses.When is bifurcation more structurally advantageous than a

single bone? Would two bones be better at the arm and thigh?

Thank you!

[DawnJ]

Well, in this case, bifurcated means there are two bones: the tibia and fibula in the lower leg and the radius and ulna in the lower arm. A horse only has one bone in these areas (according to the question, I can't say I know equine anatomy).

So, think about what the pro's and con's of having one bone in that area vs. two bones. As a hint, think about strength and flexibility. Think about how the joints of the arms and legs work.

Good Luck

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

What about the wrist and ankle joints? How do they work? What would your foot and ankle motions be like if there were only single bones in the forearm and lower leg? Think about function.