Question

State whether the given statement is true or false.
Human skeleton has 206 bones.

Answer 1

Skeletal system in humans, consists of all the bones in the body. The entire number of bones in the human body are divided into two main systems i.e. appendicular skeleton and axial skeleton. Both of these systems together provide a definite shape to the body and are essential in movement and locomotion.

Complete answer:
Bones or skeletons form the structural framework of an organism’s body. At birth, humans have around 300 individual bones but the number reduces with increasing age as most of the bones start fusing with each other. A normal healthy adult has around 206 individual bones when its growth is completed. The skeleton is divided into 2 separate systems i.e. appendicular skeleton and axial skeleton. Appendicular skeleton includes peripheral bones i.e. all four limbs. Appendicular skeleton thus has a total of 126 bones. Let us look at each one –

Area of the body	Name of the bone	Number of bones	Diagram
Pectoral girdle	ClavicleScapula	22Total - 4
Upper limb	HumerusRadiusUlnaCarpalsMetacarpalsPhalanges	222$8\times 2=16$ $5\times 2=10$ $14\times 2=28$Total - 60
Pelvic girdle	IliumIschiumPubis(fused)	222Total - 6
Lower limb	FemurPatellaTibiaFibulaTarsalsMetatarsalsPhalanges	2222$8\times 2=16$ $5\times 2=10$ $14\times 2=28$Total - 60
Total	126

Now let us take a look at the axial skeleton –

Area of the body	Name of the bone	Number of bones	Diagram
Cranium	FrontalParietalTemporalOccipitalSphenoidEthmoid	122111Total - 8
Facial	MandibleMaxillaZygomaticNasalLacrimalPalatineInferior nasalVomer	122222221Total - 14
Hyoid	Hyoid	1
Ear ossicles	IncusMalleusStapes	$1 \times 2=2$ $1 \times 2=2$Total - 6
Vertebral column	CervicalThoracicLumbarSacrumCoccyx	712511Total - 26
Thorax	SternumTrue ribsFalse ribsFloating ribs	1$7 \times 2=14$ $3 \times 2=6$ $2 \times 2=4$Total - 25
Total	80

So, the given statement is true.

Note:
The skeletal system plays a vital role in the locomotion and movement of body parts in the human body. The movement and locomotion depend upon the association of the skeletal muscles present within this skeletal system.