The 206 Bones of the Human Body

The adult human skeleton consists of 206 bones divided into two major divisions: the Axial Skeleton (80 bones) and the Appendicular Skeleton (126 bones).

Skeleton Overview

Division	Region	Bones
Axial Skeleton	Skull	22
	Auditory Ossicles	6
	Hyoid	1
	Vertebral Column	26
	Thoracic Cage	25
Axial Total		80
Appendicular Skeleton	Pectoral Girdles	4
	Upper Limbs	60
	Pelvic Girdle	2
	Lower Limbs	60
Appendicular Total		126
Grand Total		206

Part I: Axial Skeleton

80 bones forming the central axis of the body

Part II: Appendicular Skeleton

126 bones of the limbs and girdles

Memory Tips

Helpful mnemonics for memorizing bone groups

Carpal BonesProximal to Distal, Lateral to Medial

"Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can't Handle"

Scaphoid

Lunate

Triquetrum

Pisiform

Trapezium

Trapezoid

Capitate

Hamate

Tarsal BonesProximal to Distal

"The Calcaneus is Naturally Cute, Making It Lovely"

Talus

Calcaneus

Navicular

Cuboid

Medial cuneiform

Intermediate cuneiform

Lateral cuneiform

Special Notes

Sesamoid Bones

The count of 206 bones includes only the patellae (kneecaps) as sesamoid bones. Many people have additional small sesamoid bones in hands and feet.

Bone Fusion

At birth, humans have approximately 270 bones. Many bones fuse during development, resulting in 206 bones in adults. The sacrum and coccyx are examples of fused bones.

Variations

Some individuals may have extra bones (such as cervical ribs), and the number of coccygeal vertebrae can vary from 3 to 5.

The 206 Bones of the Human Body

Skeleton Overview

Part I: Axial Skeleton

Skull (22 Bones)

Auditory Ossicles (6 Bones)

Hyoid Bone (1 Bone)

Vertebral Column (26 Bones)

Thoracic Cage (25 Bones)

Part II: Appendicular Skeleton

Pectoral (Shoulder) Girdles (4 Bones)

Upper Limbs (60 Bones)

Pelvic (Hip) Girdle (2 Bones)

Lower Limbs (60 Bones)

Memory Tips

Carpal BonesProximal to Distal, Lateral to Medial

Tarsal BonesProximal to Distal

Special Notes

Sesamoid Bones

Bone Fusion

Variations

The 206 Bones of the Human Body

Skeleton Overview

Part I: Axial Skeleton

Skull (22 Bones)The skull protects the brain and forms the structure of the face.

Skull (22 Bones)

Auditory Ossicles (6 Bones)The smallest bones in the human body, located in the middle ear.

Auditory Ossicles (6 Bones)

Hyoid Bone (1 Bone)The only bone that doesn't articulate with any other bone.

Hyoid Bone (1 Bone)

Vertebral Column (26 Bones)The vertebral column provides support and protection for the spinal cord.

Vertebral Column (26 Bones)

Thoracic Cage (25 Bones)The thoracic cage protects the heart and lungs.

Thoracic Cage (25 Bones)

Part II: Appendicular Skeleton

Pectoral (Shoulder) Girdles (4 Bones)The pectoral girdles connect the upper limbs to the axial skeleton.

Pectoral (Shoulder) Girdles (4 Bones)

Upper Limbs (60 Bones)Each upper limb contains 30 bones (30 × 2 = 60 total).

Upper Limbs (60 Bones)

Pelvic (Hip) Girdle (2 Bones)The pelvic girdle connects the lower limbs to the axial skeleton.

Pelvic (Hip) Girdle (2 Bones)

Lower Limbs (60 Bones)Each lower limb contains 30 bones (30 × 2 = 60 total).

Lower Limbs (60 Bones)

Memory Tips

Carpal BonesProximal to Distal, Lateral to Medial

Tarsal BonesProximal to Distal

Special Notes

Sesamoid Bones

Bone Fusion

Variations