Mammuthus primigenius SOLD
System: Pleistocene.Â
Origin: North Sea.
Measurements: 17.5 cm x 16.5 cm x 6 cm
Woolly mammoth femur head, woolly elephant or tundra mammoth. The head of the mammoth femur is the upper, rounded part of this long bone. The articular head is rounded and robust, designed to fit into the animal's pelvis.
Structure of the head of the femur:
- cancellous bone tissue: occupies the inside of the head of the femur. It forms a three-dimensional network of small lamellae called trabeculae, between which the red bone marrow (producer of blood cells) is housed. Cancellous bone is porous-looking bone tissue.
- outer layer: covered by a thin layer of compact bone tissue to give it greater resistance.
Function in the mammoth:
- weight reduction: The spongy tissue makes the bone lighter without losing the strength necessary to support the enormous weight of the animal.
- load distribution: It helps cushion the impact when walking and transfers force to the hip.
