Osteophagy
Osteophagy
Osteophagy (pronounced: os-tee-oh-fuh-jee) is a behavior exhibited by animals where they consume bones or bone matter. The term is derived from the Greek words "osteon" meaning bone and "phagein" meaning to eat.
Etymology
The term "Osteophagy" is derived from two Greek words. The first word is "osteon" which translates to "bone" in English. The second word is "phagein" which means "to eat". When combined, they form "Osteophagy", which literally means "bone-eating".
Behavior
Osteophagy is a behavior observed in many animals, particularly herbivores living in mineral-deficient environments. These animals consume bones to supplement their diet with necessary minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for bone growth and maintenance. This behavior is commonly observed in deer, giraffe, and domestic cattle.
Related Terms
- Osteology: The study of the structure and function of the skeleton and bony structures.
- Osteoporosis: A medical condition in which the bones become brittle and fragile from loss of tissue.
- Osteomalacia: The softening of the bones caused by impaired bone metabolism.
- Osteogenesis: The process of bone formation.
- Osteocyte: A cell that lies within the substance of fully formed bone.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Osteophagy
- Wikipedia's article - Osteophagy
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