Axial skeleton 80 bones, appendicular 126
The 206 bones of the body divide into the axial skeleton of 80 bones and the appendicular skeleton of 126. The axial skeleton forms the central axis: 22 skull bones, 6 ear ossicles, the hyoid, 26 bones of the spine, 24 ribs and the sternum. The appendicular skeleton is the 64 bones of the arms, including the clavicles and scapulae, and the 62 of the legs, including the hip bones.
Frequently asked questions
Do the scapula and the hip bone belong to the axial skeleton?
No. The clavicle and scapula form the shoulder girdle and the hip bone forms the pelvic girdle; both girdles attach the limbs to the trunk and are counted among the 126 bones of the appendicular skeleton.
Is the sacrum part of the axial skeleton?
Yes. The sacrum is part of the spine, so it is one of the 80 axial bones. The pelvis is formed by axial bones, the sacrum and coccyx, together with the appendicular hip bones.
Why do the arms and legs have different numbers of bones?
Each arm has 32 bones and each leg 31. The shoulder girdle has two bones (clavicle and scapula) where the pelvic girdle has one (the hip bone), and the wrist has eight bones where the ankle has seven; the leg adds one bone, the patella.
The bones counted
Related counts
- Bones in the human body
- Bones of the skull
- Bones of the spine
- Number of ribs
- Bones of the arm
- Bones of the leg
Other bone counts
- Cervical vertebrae
- Thoracic vertebrae
- Lumbar vertebrae
- Bones of the hand
- Carpal bones
- Bones of the foot
- Tarsal bones
- Phalanges of the fingers and toes
- Bones of the pelvis
Skeleton
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- Why ageing bone marrow turns to fat, and a PEMF study in mice
- PEMF and whole-body vibration: two rhythms that reach the body
- Myokines: the signals working muscle sends to the body
- Ageing parents: the changes families notice first
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