There are 206 bones in the skeleton of the human body.

The bones of the skeleton are classified into four main groups.

1. Skull (cranium)
2. Spinal column (vertebrae)
3. Ribs
4. Limbs (arm and legs)

The skull is comprised of multiple bones forming a case around the brain. One of these bones is the frontal bone .

1. The joints between the skull bones are movable in children, which allows the bones to grow.
2. The joints cannot move in adults because they grow together to form a solid case.

The skull also contains bones in the cheek (zygoma) , nose (nasals) and jaw (maxilla) .

Thirty-three bones, called vertebrae, stack together to make the spinal column.

1. The vertebrae protect the spinal cord.
2. Vertebrae allow the body to turn and twist in different directions.
3. Working together, the vertebrae provide a strong support for the weight of the body.

The ribcage is formed from 12 pairs of ribs that protect the heart and lungs.

1. All the ribs connect to the vertebrae.
2. The lower two sets of ribs do not connect to the front of the ribcage.
3. The top seven sets of ribs connect to the sternum .

The arm is made up of several sets of bones.

1. Humerus - from shoulder to elbow
2. Radius and ulna - two bones of the forearm
3. Carpals - wrist bones
4. Metacarpals and phalanges - palm and finger bones

The leg is made of several bones.

1. Femur - long bone running from hip to knee
2. Patella - kneecap
3. Tibia and fibula - two bones from knee to ankle
4. Tarsals - anklebones
5. Metatarsals - foot bones
6. Phalanges - toe bones

At the bottom of the spinal column are a number of hipbones, which form the pelvis (pubis , ischium , and ilium ).

1. The pelvis is a firm support for the body.
2. The pelvis is what allows the legs to move freely.

Text provided by Children's Museum of Indianapolis