Longest bone of the Human Body is?

Appeared in: AIIMS Delhi NO - 2017

Explanation

The femur, located in the thigh, is unequivocally the longest and strongest bone in the human body.
Its primary roles are to support the body's weight and facilitate movement, including walking and running.
On average, it measures about 48 centimeters (18.9 inches) in an adult male, constituting approximately 26% of a person's total height.

Option A: The humerus is the long bone of the upper arm, running from the shoulder to the elbow. It is shorter than the femur.
Option C: The tibia, or shin bone, is the second longest bone in the body, located in the lower leg. It is shorter than the femur.
Option D: The sternum, or breastbone, is a flat bone located in the center of the chest. It is not a long bone and is significantly shorter than the femur.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Anatomy of the human skeletal system as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A femur fracture is a serious injury that can be life-threatening due to the potential for massive blood loss (up to 1.5 liters) into the thigh muscles, leading to hypovolemic shock.
Nurses must monitor for signs of shock (hypotension, tachycardia, pallor), assess for neurovascular compromise in the affected leg (checking pulses, sensation, and movement), and manage pain effectively.
What if? If a patient has an open femur fracture (bone pierces the skin), the immediate priority shifts to controlling bleeding and preventing infection, as the risk of osteomyelitis is extremely high.

How to Approach the Question

This is a direct recall question testing knowledge of basic human anatomy.
First, identify the key term in the question: 'longest bone'.
Mentally visualize or recall the major bones of the human skeleton.
Compare the options: Humerus (upper arm), Femur (thigh), Tibia (lower leg), and Sternum (chest).
Recall that the thigh bone (femur) is the largest and longest bone, supporting the entire upper body.
Select the option corresponding to the femur.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QMGctUgdPf0lnr-7-_uBDO

E6 Anatomy BDChaurasia V2 10e Part 1 p. 36-38

Practise the full AIIMS Delhi NO - 2017

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.