When humans are born, the skeleton consists of more than 300 bones or cartilage. Once the human is an adult, the skeleton has only about 206 to 214 bones (depending on the counting method, the number may vary slightly), half of which are located in the hands and feet. In the course of development, the bones partially grow together (for example, skull, hand), become more stable and resilient, and thus strengthen the human skeleton.
Tasks of the skeleton
The bones are connected by joints or joints and give shape and support to the body. This gives the body its stability and provides the muscles with the flexible framework for movement and activity. The second important function of the bone framework is to protect the internal organs. For example, the heart and lungs lie securely in the rib cage.
In addition to these two central functions, the bones also have another important task, namely the production of blood cells. The blood cells are made in the bone marrow, a reticular tissue with a large blood supply that fills the cavities inside the bones.
By the way …
- Each person has an individual skeleton – if you compare the skeletons of people of different statures, they show significant differences. And the number of bones can also vary, depending on how many smaller bones have grown together to form larger ones.
- The smallest bone in humans is found in the ear. It is the stapes in the inner ear, which, together with the hammer and anvil, is an important part of the auditory system.
- The longest and heaviest bone of the human bone system is the femur. It is about 50 cm long in an adult human who is 1.80 tall. The thighs are very robust, because they have to bear the entire weight of the body – when we stand, run or jump.
