JUST one in three people are confident they could name most of the key bones and muscles in the human body – with 17 per cent gaining most of their knowledge from TV.
The study of 2,000 adults found 70 per cent admit they remember bits and pieces about anatomy from their school days, and that’s the extent of their knowledge.
Only 66 per cent could correctly locate the fibula – in the lower leg – while 69 per cent didn’t know how many bones are in the human ear.
The 31 per cent who got it right correctly stated it has three – known as the hammer, the anvil and the stirrup – but 25 per cent thought it had five.
Bethany Aitken, clinical services manager at AXA Health, which commissioned the research and offers health insurance and access to a dedicated muscles, bones and joints service, said: “You don’t need to be a brain surgeon, but knowing a little bit can go a long way.
“Knowing more about your body and how it works is a really crucial part of staying fit and healthy, particularly when it comes to bones and joints, so it’s surprising to see how little people know about their own bodies.”
The research went on to find only 45 per cent know how many bones are in the human body – 206 – with others guessing as many as 321, or as low as 95.
Only four in 10 (44 per cent) correctly identified that the gluteus maximus – located in the buttocks – is the largest and most powerful muscle in the human body.
While nearly one in five (17 per cent) admitted that they gained most of their knowledge of the human body from watching TV.
And 44 per cent of adults have never broken a bone.
The most common to break among those who have done so are the arm (17 per cent) or the foot (14 per cent).
More than four in 10 (41 per cent) have also received treatment for a muscle injury, while 27 per cent admit they don’t take particularly good care of their muscles and joints.
And only 61 per cent think they could accurately locate their triceps, according to the OnePoll.com figures.
If they had a suspected injury, 24 per cent would turn to the internet for a diagnosis first – more than those who would contact a GP (21 per cent).
And nearly one in four (24 per cent) have found themselves in a first aid situation or emergency where they wish they’d known more about the human body.
Bethany added: “Understanding the basic facts about your body, like the number of bones you have and the role of key muscles, is the first step towards taking charge of your health.
“It can help you prevent injuries, for example by warming up and making sure you’re good to go. It can also better help you manage injuries should they occur.
“It can also give you the confidence you need to articulate to healthcare professionals about the discomfort you’re feeling, too.
“By understanding how your body works, you can better care for it.”
How well do you know the human body? Take AXA Health’s quiz to find out.
