human skeleton

Also known as bones and skeletal system

internal framework of the human body

AI overview

The human skeleton is the internal framework of bones and connective tissues that gives your body its shape and structure. It serves essential functions like supporting your body, protecting your internal organs, and enabling movement by working with your muscles.

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Commons category: Human skeletons

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Article

The human skeleton is the internal framework of the human body. It is composed of around 270 bones at birth – this total decreases to around 206 bones by adulthood after some bones fuse together, not counting accessory bones. The bone mass in the skeleton makes up about 14% of the total body weight (ca. 10–11 kg for an average person) and reaches maximum mass between the ages of 25 and 30. The human skeleton can be divided into the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton is formed by the spinal column, the rib cage, the skull, and associated bones. The appendicular skeleton, which is attached to the axial skeleton, is formed by the shoulder girdle, the pelvic girdle and the bones of the upper and lower limbs.

The human skeleton performs six major functions: support, movement, protection, production of blood cells, storage of minerals, and endocrine regulation.