When you stretch your arms really high in the morning, your collarbones (your clavicles!) help keep your shoulders steady so your arms can stretch all the way!
Clavicle - Facts for Kids
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Facts About Clavicle For Kids
When you carry heavy grocery bags, your collarbones (that’s your clavicles!) act like strong bridges to help keep your shoulders steady and your arms in control!
When you reach up high to grab something, your collarbones (that’s your clavicles!) twist just enough to help your shoulders and arms lift smoothly and strong!
When you’re swimming, your clavicle helps your arms move through the water efficiently!
Protection & Safety
Your collarbone (the clavicle) wears a special skin called the periosteum that helps it heal when it’s injured!
The clavicle’s curve helps it absorb shock better than if it were straight!
Special nerves around your clavicle tell your brain if something is pushing or pulling on it!
Your clavicle helps protect important blood vessels that supply oxygen to your arms!
The space between your collarbones (your clavicles) helps shield your windpipe (where you breathe) and your food pipe (your esophagus), keeping them safe inside your chest!
Your clavicle has its own supply of blood vessels that keep it healthy and strong!
Special ligaments connect your clavicle to nearby bones, like strong rubber bands holding everything together!
The clavicle’s position helps shield your upper chest from impacts!
Surprising Facts
Your clavicle is stronger than the same size piece of chalk but not as strong as a similar size piece of steel!
Your clavicle usually shows up clearly on X-rays, and doctors can use special angles to see the whole bone even better!
Everyone’s collarbones move just a little bit differently — your joints decide how freely your shoulders can swing around!
Your clavicle contains tiny holes that allow blood vessels to enter and feed the bone!
The surface of your clavicle has tiny bumps and grooves that you can feel through your skin!
Your clavicle is about as long as your index and middle fingers together!
The clavicle is stronger at its ends than in the middle, like a bridge that’s reinforced at its supports!
Scientists have found that left and right clavicles in the same person can be slightly different sizes!
Cool Comparisons
Your clavicle is shaped like the letter ‘S’ when viewed from above!
Your collarbone (the clavicle!) is nearly as long as a brand-new pencil — usually just a little bit shorter!
Around the middle, your collarbone (clavicle!) is about as thick as your thumb — about a centimeter wide!
Your collarbone is lighter than a chicken wing but much stronger and tougher than a plastic ruler!
The ends of your collarbone (clavicle!) are almost as wide as two quarters placed side by side — about 2½ cm wide!
During your teen years, your collarbone slowly grows by just a few millimeters each year — about as much as a crayon gets shorter as you color!
The surface of your clavicle is smoother than a pebble but rougher than a marble!
Health & Care
Regular exercise helps keep the muscles around your clavicle strong and healthy!
Good posture helps your clavicle stay in its proper position!
Wearing backpacks on both shoulders helps keep even pressure on both clavicles!
Eating foods rich in calcium helps keep your clavicle strong!
Getting enough vitamin D helps your clavicle stay healthy and strong!
Moving around every day — like running, dancing, or playing — helps your collarbone stay strong, just like it keeps your whole skeleton healthy!
Wearing protective gear during sports helps keep your clavicle safe!
Regular doctor check-ups help make sure your collarbone (clavicle) is growing just right!
Your clavicle is an amazing part of your body that helps you move, play, and stay healthy! Take good care of it, and it will take good care of you!
