The
human skeleton is the internal framework of the body. It is composed of 270
bones at birth – this total decreases to 206 bones by adulthood after some bones have fused together. The bone mass in the skeleton reaches maximum density around age 30. The human skeleton can be divided into the
axial skeleton and the
appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton is formed by the
vertebral column, the
rib cage, the
skull and other associated bones. The appendicular skeleton, which is attached to the axial skeleton, is formed by the
pectoral girdle, the
pelvic girdle and the bones of the upper and lower limbs.