Question

Which of the following bones helps to hold the muscles of flight in birds?

• A. Shoulder bone
• B. Breast bone
• C. Tail bone
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Breast bone

Birds have an enlarged breastbone called a sternum for flight muscle attachment. Two pairs of large muscles move the wings of birds during flight; the pectoralis major (lowers the wings) and the supracoracoideus (raises the wings). This arrangement helps the birds with providing the essential force of thrust. A pulley-like action is achieved by means of a tendon (tendon of supracoracoideus) that passes at the junction of the coracoid, furcula, and scapula and attaches to the dorsal (back) side of the head of the humerus.

Thus, the bone which helps to hold the muscles of flight of birds is the breastbone/ sternum.