As a general rule there are 206 bones that make up the skeletal system. This is a number that varies between individuals and can also depend on how certain bones are counted. The skeleton is separated into two sections - the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. While naming each bone in the human body would be a long task, it is possible to study these two sections of the skeletal system in more detail.
The axial skeleton is made up of 80 bones. Within the Vertebral column there are 26 bones, the rib cage contains 12 pairs of ribs and the sternum and in the skull there are 22 bones and seven associated bones. This part of the skeleton is responsible for the upright position of the body. It is used to transmit wait from the head, the trunk and upper extremities of the body down to the hip joints where the lower extremities are located. The majority of the body weight in this section of the skeletal system is located in the back of the spinal column. Bone growth within the axial skeleton is only stimulated by weight-bearing exercise and non weight-bearing activities, such as cycling and swimming, will have no effect.
The second section of the skeletal system is the appendicular system. This is made up of 126 and is divided into six main categories. These are the pectoral girdles (four bones), the arm and forearm (six bones), the hands (58 bones), the pelvis (two bones), thighs and legs (eight bones) and the feet (56 bones). Each of these categories are broken down even further. For example, the hands are broken down to left and right carpal (16 bones), the metacarpal (10 bones), the proximal phalanges (10 bones), the middle phalanges (eight bones), the distal phalanges (10 bones) and the sesamoid (four bones).
The axial skeleton is made up of 80 bones. Within the Vertebral column there are 26 bones, the rib cage contains 12 pairs of ribs and the sternum and in the skull there are 22 bones and seven associated bones. This part of the skeleton is responsible for the upright position of the body. It is used to transmit wait from the head, the trunk and upper extremities of the body down to the hip joints where the lower extremities are located. The majority of the body weight in this section of the skeletal system is located in the back of the spinal column. Bone growth within the axial skeleton is only stimulated by weight-bearing exercise and non weight-bearing activities, such as cycling and swimming, will have no effect.
The second section of the skeletal system is the appendicular system. This is made up of 126 and is divided into six main categories. These are the pectoral girdles (four bones), the arm and forearm (six bones), the hands (58 bones), the pelvis (two bones), thighs and legs (eight bones) and the feet (56 bones). Each of these categories are broken down even further. For example, the hands are broken down to left and right carpal (16 bones), the metacarpal (10 bones), the proximal phalanges (10 bones), the middle phalanges (eight bones), the distal phalanges (10 bones) and the sesamoid (four bones).
