As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us look forward to roasting and carving up a tasty turkey for the big feast. But have you ever wondered just how many bones are packed into that bird on your table? The anatomy of a turkey is more complex than you might think!
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the skeletal structure of the turkey and find out exactly how many bones it contains We’ll identify all the major bone groups and highlight some key facts about turkey anatomy. Let’s get started!
A Quick Overview of Turkey Bones
First, a high-level overview. The number of bones in a turkey can vary slightly based on the size and age of the bird. But on average, an adult turkey contains between 170 to 175 bones. This includes:
- Skull and neck bones
- Backbones and ribs
- Wing and leg bones
- Various small bones in the feet and tail
The total bone count may be slightly higher or lower from bird to bird. Factors like nutrition, genetics, and physical activity can all influence bone development. Now, let’s explore the key bone groups in more detail.
The Head and Neck Bones
The turkey’s head contains over 30 different bones that make up the skull, beak, and feeding apparatus. These include:
- Premaxilla bones in the upper beak
- Maxilla bones in the lower beak
- Nasal, frontal, and parietal bones forming the cranium
- Mandible and quadrate bones forming the jaw
In addition, the turkey has a long, flexible neck made up of 14 cervical vertebrae. This allows the bird to swing its head around with ease while walking and foraging.
The Backbone and Ribs
Moving down the body, an adult turkey has a backbone containing around 39 vertebrae. These are divided into distinct sections:
- 14 cervical vertebrae in the neck (as mentioned above)
- 6 thoracic vertebrae in the upper back
- 6 fused sacral vertebrae in the pelvic region
- 13 caudal vertebrae in the tail
In addition, the turkey has up to 18 pairs of ribs attached to the thoracic vertebrae. This bony rib cage protects the internal organs.
The Wings: Lots of Tiny Bones
Now here’s where things get really complex. Each of the turkey’s wings contains 15 main bones, plus a host of smaller ossicles and carpals. The major wing bones are:
- Humerus – attaches the wing to the body
- Radius and ulna – the two forearm bones
- Carpometacarpus – equivalent to palm and midhand
- Digits and phalanges – finger bones
Added up on both sides, this makes 30 total wing bones. The joints and small bones give the wings a wide range of articulation.
Legs and Feet Built for Power
Finally, the turkey’s strong legs and feet contain over 28 bones per limb. The key bones are:
- Femur – thigh bone
- Tibiotarsus – shin bone
- Tarsometatarsus – ankle and midfoot
- Toes and phalanges
- Kneecap, ankle, and foot ossicles
These leg bones provide stability and power for walking and running. The longest bones can be over 6 inches long in mature males.
Furcula and Clavicles for Stability
We can’t forget the turkey’s furcula, better known as the “wishbone.” This V-shaped bone is formed by the fusion of the two clavicles (collarbones). It provides critical structural support for the shoulders and wings.
So in total, an adult turkey contains well over 170 individual bones! While we don’t often think about bones when we sit down to our holiday dinner, the skeleton allows the turkey to walk, fly, and thrive. Next Thanksgiving when you delight in those delicious turkey legs and wings, take a moment to admire the amazing anatomy inside this great bird!
Frequency of Entities:
Number of bones in a turkey: 170-175
Number of vertebrae: 14 cervical, 6 thoracic, 6 fused sacral, 13 caudal
Number of ribs: 18 pairs
Number of bones in each wing: 15
Number of bones in each leg: 28
Turkey Leg and Thigh Recipes
Here are three simple steps to get more from your turkey harvests this year. Below you’ll see step-by-step instructions with pictures to detail how to break down a turkey leg. Give it a try and remember what I always say, “You can’t screw up, it’s just another meatball.” Meaning, even if you hack at the meat, it’s still gunna get eaten.
Step 1: Removing the leg and thigh
Coming in next to the breast you will take your knife and slice straight down. Your knife will soon hit the ball socket joint that attaches the thigh bone to the pelvic bone. Once your knife hits this spot you just press down on the thigh and the ball will pop from the socket. Once this happens, just take your knife and cut straight down. This will remove the whole leg and thigh off in one beautiful piece.
How to Recycle Turkey Bones | creative explained
FAQ
How many bones are in a turkey leg?
How much bone is in a turkey?
How many legs do a turkey have?
Does ground turkey have bones in it?
What does a male Turkey look like?
Another striking feature of male turkeys are the lumpy caruncles that wrap around the base of their neck like a red scarf. These are called the major caruncles. All the mottled coagulation of shiny, leather-like skin that wraps around the turkey’s head like a hood and runs down their necks are also considered caruncles.
How do you cook turkey bones in a slow cooker?
Arrange the turkey bones, onion, and garlic into the insert of your slow cooker. Pour in the wine, then pour water enough water to cover the bones. Cook over low heat for 6 hours, and then toss in the herbs. Continue cooking for a further 20 minutes. Strain, and then transfer the broth to a jar. Tried this recipe? Please consider Leaving a Review!
Can I roast a turkey if I don’t have a carcass?
Yes. If you don’t have a leftover turkey carcass, you can roast the raw bones on a rimmed baking sheet for about 20 minutes at 425 F. Then, add the roasted bones, water, wine, and remaining ingredients to the pot and follow the recipe directions above.
Can you use leftover turkey bones for gravy?
Turkey carcass – use 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 lbs of the bones that fit into the pot after salvaging any leftover meat for Leftover Turkey in Gravy. Don’t worry if some meat remains. This turkey stock recipe begins with bones from a roasted turkey.