Primates are frequently used lab animals in biomedical research, due to their close relationship tohumans. Especially, the genus Callithrix jacchus (common marmoset) and the genus Macaca mulatta(rhesus monkey) are commonly used in scientific research. In this article, a systematic overview isgiven of the main bone pathologies of primates. Bone pathologies may occur spontaneously, but canalso be induced experimentally for research into human diseases. Knowledge about these pathologiesis not only important for the prevention and treatment of human and primate bone diseases, it alsocontributes to choosing the correct animal models. The historically most important bone pathologiesbelong to the group of metabolic disorders, among which rickets/osteomalacia and osteoporosis arethe best known. Congenital disorders, developmental pathologies, intoxications and deficiencies witheffects on the skeleton are also discussed. Finally, bone tumors are described, which do not occurfrequently, but which should not be neglected.