How many bones are found in the adult human skeletal system?

The adult human skeletal system comprises 206 bones, which is the standard count used in anatomy. This count accounts for the bones found in the skull, spine, ribcage, and limbs.

In children, the skeletal system has more bones—approximately 270—because some bones, especially in the skull, fuse together as a person matures into adulthood. Thus, the number decreases to 206 in adulthood as these individual bones combine. This established number, 206, is widely accepted in medical and anatomical references, as it provides a consistent framework for understanding human bone structure and its functions within the body. Other numbers given in the choices do not reflect the universally acknowledged count of bones in adult humans and, therefore, are incorrect.